Instead of feeling stupid over wasted money, perhaps consider it the dues paid in gaining your freedom from the smokes. You have simply progressed to another level on your vaping journey. I started out buying everything at a local B&M, and yes, I spent a bunch. On the other hand the employees there helped me along my path, and steered me to the forum here when I became really serious about being committed to vaping. "One even gave me a gentle nudge, occasionally asking, have you considered DIY?" When I was finally ready, I did my homework and made a decision, I knew that vaping was the only thing keeping me away from the cigs, and I wasn't going to let anyone take that away. The only sure way to insure this was to get a reasonable supply of nic and flavorings and learn how to use them. Many steps were taken in this progression. The step from Ego type batteries to a VV mod, playing with coils on an IGO-L RDA, trying a few mech mods, rebuilding my coils for my evods/ T3S's and Protanks. Finally, making my own juice. Each individual step learned helped not only improve the quality of my vape experience, but reduced the cost/ volume of expendable items. The satisfaction of becoming more and more self reliant far out ways any money that may have been squandered along the way, and frankly, there was no way to get to where I am now without having taken all the little steps. DIY was an intimidating step for me to take, but in the end it has been the biggest eye opener. I don't regret the money spent along the way though, it would have been spent on cigs or other things anyways...
