Diving is expensive...

I have now finished the third month of my dive odyssey, wow, time flies fast!
While living in Asia is quite cheap (around 2-3000 DKK (3-400 Euro) per month; including a room, food and drinks, well then the actual diving IS expensive. Yes, when you take courses, the diving is 'free'. But the courses are not cheap :-). So far I have used around 23.000 DKK (around 700 Euro) in diving courses (Dive Master + Instructor). Hopefully, I can start earning a (little bit of) money afterwards (though salaries for dive professionals usually allow you to 'live' in a given place, nothing else). My equipment investments so far are close to 14.000 DKK (around 2000 Euro). Yes, you can get cheaper equipment, but with the amount of diving I foresee, well then I have chosen to go for the 'upper end' concerning equipment. Not the most expensive, but very good quality. Especially the regulator is important (the thing you breathe from and that provides you air from the tank), and in this area the investment was 'a bit' over budget (double).
In other words: For the first 3 months, I have used 5 times more money on diving and equipment than I have used on 'living'. Well, this is all counted into my budget, so no panicking from my side - and hopefully not from my bank :-). I update my budget once in a while and compare it with the actual costs, and no 'huge' surprises so far. My original budget said around 220.000 DKK (less than 30.000 Euro) for this one year (all included, even costs for my homes in Denmark, insurances etc). I may end up at around 250-260.000, but let's see. It all depends on whether I am working (ooops, not allowed according to any local laws in Asia, so skip that :-). If working a 'lot', I might end up at my original budget. If I choose NOT to work at all (and if I have to PAY for all my diving), well then the budget will not hold - at all. But my plan is to mix things a bit; work a bit then dive a lot (diving is usually free when 'working' for a dive centre).
So, yes, I am using a lot of money these initial months to become an instructor, but I see that as an investment into my future traveling. And on top of that - and not least - the instructor course is a LOT of fun also! Which is the KEY for me anyway. But of course I keep an eye on my economy also (which those who know me know already :-).
By the way, for those who want to know my activities in more details, here they are:
02/05 to 05/05 - IDC Prep (Preparation; ongoing)
06/05 to 16/05 - IDC (The actual course)
17/05 to 19/05 - IE (Examintation, where they fly in people from Padi organisation, scary)
19/05 or day after: IE Party!!!
What happens after this is still open. I may go to Hong Kong to visit my Aunt (Moster) who is around Hong Kong at that time. Maybe I will go to Philippines? Back to Thailand? Australia? Something else? Not decided :-). And as stated earlier: My plan is to not have a plan...