Agreed on the "cheap being frowned upon." I actually googled "how to afford camera gear" and found an article that backed up my philosophy of "the cheap man buys twice." If you go cheap on something, like stabilization, but you really wanted the glidecam. You'll drop $100-200, but still want the glidecam. You'll be out $600-700 rather than $500.
Camera gear is an investment. You'll have this stuff for years and years, so its worth putting down a little extra. It'll be be worth it when peoples jaws drop at your work.