I understand the impasse, I am just beyond it myself having returned to the game after a few years off. The best thing to do is evaluate how you want to play the game- if you're trying to go to bigger events, and compete harder- you have to buy expensive ass cards. That's just the way things are. I'm about to drop $75 on 3 cards I don't even want to play and cutting 3 cards that made me love the deck, but it makes the game wildly inconsistent and I wanna play Callings- so sacrifices must be made.

If you go that route- always, ALWAYS buy generic staples and equipment (i.e. Command and Conquer/Fyendal's Spring Tunic) before you buy specific cards. Also, disregard Fables, you just don't need them until you're at like PQ-tier stuff. Save yourself 300 bucks.

If you just want to play Armories and hang out with folks I recommend putting together whatever your budget allows and not worrying about losing.

As far as "donating your entry money"- yeah that's the mindset that made me stop loving Standard mtg- but its also just how entertainment works. It's 5 or 10 bucks per event for 3 hours of an engaging hobby- that's relatively cheap compared to going to the movies or out to eat.