OP,
Like you, I was a fool.
Circa 1990, as a young professional but with a California mortgage, car payment, student loan, etc., I was "equity-rich" but cash-poor. I bought my first gun, a S&W 686, and caught the bug wanting to buy more. I had my eyes on a beauty, Sig P-220. Her smooth action & accurate bullet placement just had me thinking about her day & night. But her price tag was not to be had for someone who lived from pay check to pay check.
Years later I was able to accumulate a meager savings but her price tag still had me afar. I did met her sister, BTW, a certified pre-own (CPO) P226 in .40 S&W. She batted her eyes at me and as I glanced at her price tag, she had me with a 4.... A Sig with a price that starts with a 4. This one was in pristine condition. I could not see signs of holster wear, the barrel was brand new and the springs were as tight as... well, this is a family-friendly site after all.
Many years later I am still looking for a P220. I have acquired others but the P220 still has a soft spot in my heart. Maybe I can meet a CPO P220 one day and she can join my Sig collection of P226, P6, and P230. Maybe it's just a dream that I held on for so long that I don't want to let it go. Maybe she is like the girl in high school you were dying to go out with but it was just beyond your reach.... Now 30 years later you bump into her and she is available....
I wish you well, my friend, and knowing this burning desire will be with you. But my advice is take care of your child, your schoolings, etc., first. You WILL have plenty of time to buy the guns your are passionate about, and there WILL be plenty of guns you will be passionate about. Welcome to the beginning of a life time of collections.