I haven't bought much lumber over the years. However, after seeing Jim's shop and recently acquiring some key shop tools myself, I decided to take a swing at making a few medium boxes. (I'm slowly converting to an all-medium operation)
$13 FOR AN 8' 1X8?!? Has it always been that crazy? No, this wasn't some superfine highly finished plank. This was a common board basic 1x8.
Now, I still saved money over buying new (5 boxes from 4 planks), and I gained a lot of confidence and experience with the table saw, compound miter saw, 90 degree clamp, and dado set. However, I don't remember wood being so nuts!