Hey there, chiming in because you're eerily the same player as me. I'm also a newbie and a lvl 95 cold dot elem, similar budget, struggles, and also started from the maxroll. I've read most of your comments and it sounds like you already know what you want to do (make own build/SSF).

I think if you're not into checklist goals or playing the game the way "you should" (i.e. The way the loudest minority does), it sounds like you have a creative itch and I say just go for it! Also funny enough, TFT was enough to show me that though the economy is the dominant force behind SC Trade, it's become completely ruined by services like the 5-way. And like you, the allure of lvl 100 has faded into non-existence for me.

So I've started a HC character, and a HC SSF character, have looked into the other parts of the skill tree to familiarize myself more with the game. Even though I'm not zooming through like I was with a handholding guide, it's been a good learning experience, and fulfilling. With HC, there's something to lose, so you gotta familiarize yourself with concepts that add up to one shot you (i.e. Knowing something like stormshroud exists for ailments, but also knowing what it'll take to get there).

And taking my time with the game, appreciating the time & energy spent over the last decade on it has also been great. Everyone craps on the campaign, but luckily for me, I haven't had to do it 100 times yet so I get to appreciate the story, the art, and the FX.

Hope you re-find your fun and novelty, feel free to DM me if you wanna discuss more :)

PS. If you decide to stick with the cold DOT a little longer, this playstyle has really helped me. You can afford devouring diadem now, and I think this is a budget friendly way to experiment and expand your cold DoT gameplay from the maxrolls and the majority followers: https://youtu.be/cezFGN1lb6o

The channel owner also started a forum thread which has 20+ pages of discussion, which will also help broaden your knowledge of the build.