I don’t have a budget and buy what I like. Lately it had been more medals and less inexpensive items as I like many others have slowly learned their lesson to not purchase over priced items on a whim or based on unsubstantiated ‘hype’. I get that there is a lot of expense in creating a coin or collectible that exceeds the mere face value or precious metal content and that they are also treated as works of art/masterpieces that are fun to show off and talk about.
If it is something I really want the question is always ‘can I afford this?, do I care if the resale value plummets to 40% or less?, does it fit in with my collection and provide me with lasting enjoyment?’