Should I? Feeling disheartened/frustrated...

[HoustonCollector72]

I could not do G1's  so I went for the G2s  but they are skyrocketing as well so maybe G3's should get you going
buy lots, but I do see G1s that are afordable here and there, must be common G1s, I guess  super common ponies are going to still be affordable from any generation.
maybe try to Customize your own ponies,so you get to make the ones you really want from bait ponies, if you get really good that can be your way to build your pony funds:)
some people here do pretty well I just saw a Princess Celestia Custom that sold right away 85 Dllrs

if you don't have money but have time,then you can master something that will get you the money.

[Stormness_1]

When I restarted, I had about 30 ponies (including all gens) Now I have 500+, and it's only been about 4 years. I went to local classifieds sites and ebay, and got big lots to begin with.  30 ponies for $100, 300 for $500, that sort of thing. It seemed a lot of money, but it was cheap per pony, and you don't have as much competition in the bigger lots, than on individual ponies. I saved and saved and had the money when those two came up, and it boosted my collection heaps. And the doubles I just traded here, for ponies I actually needed - that way you can get your most wanted ponies specifically with your trades. I'm really happy with my collection now - I have so many sets that are near completion, I'm slowly working on g3's while I wait for those to pop up.