I’m think you can go further than that.

Days spent modifying cheap electronics is absolutely encouraged.

Cheap electronics are just the feed stock, the basis function for your new creation. Why start with raw matter when you can get fully formed matter for less.

Buy the premade thing and hack something new.

I disagree.

My most precious resource is free time. I never have anywhere near enough.

It is absolutely not worth $5 for me to spend another 15 minutes trying to find a cheaper price