i'm just starting off as well, and my girl friend has some of the same point of view as yours. When you add everything together, it definitely seems way over any ones random budget, but you have to be patient and do it one step at a time. I get away with it because i say "baby, it's a 4-10 year project!" and as much as i wish i could get it all in a year, thats totally not going to happen if i want it to look really nice, and be quality...you don't want to spend hours painting a pair of cheap e-bay random gauntlets, only to bump one against a wall accidentally and have the whole thing crack.
As much as i would agree that making your own stuff is cheaper and great practice, there are so many people out there that make all the parts, and extremely well. Fett's not a random unique character that not many people know of. So you'll always have pros for years and years making better upgraded equipment.
My suggestion would be that if you are not a very good painter, get a trash can, and practice. buy those cheap hasbro helmets/blasters and practice some more. That way when you get your nice equipment, you'll know what your doing, and hopefully not ruin it. I personally made a jet pack out of recyclables(bottles,pizza boxes ect.), and it was hell. it took way too long to fabricate, and it's 70% accurate at best. but i got to practice painting it. Although I've been painting for most of my life, but more practice sure helps, so when i get the real deal in a couple years, it'll be spot-on.