...and now I'm looking around for something else to sale to pay for it! I've tried out Ozone 5 and T-racks (both can be had for $158 at Audio deluxe).  Fab Filter is $429 on their site, but looks like they have a 25% off sale twice a year. I really like the way these plugins sound, work and look. They seem very cpu friendly and the online videos are nice too. I totally understand why so many people prefer to use Fab Filter tools now. I also realize (after trying out a lot of software), that the programs I already have (some Cakewalk) are pretty good too.
  I will end up with these at some point. When a  product is worth the price, I don't have a problem paying for it. I had all 3 plugins and Voxengo's Span running at 128 samples with zero problems or buffer adjustments.
  Thanks for the suggestion...You guys were right again.

Fabfilter has a "Tell a Friend" discount program which offers new buyers a 10% discount when referred by an existing owner (the existing user also receives a credit toward a future purchase). If you cannot wait for the Summer sale, assuming they have another one, there are several forum members (myself included) that can set you up with a discount code.

It comes up on KVR secondhand every so often - I think there is one now for $280.