Funny, I have a MBA yet work in the legal world
Anyway I agree completely that this hobby can be completely and easily self funded with strategic purchasing. Last Boston Comic Con I went to, in 2019, I brought very little cash but did bring a stack of low grade GA books that I had lying around. Nothing memorable at all but I wanted to see what I could trade them for, mostly for entertainment. After a handful of trades at various dealer booths I ended up walking out of the convention with two high grade Tick 1 Special Editions, both of which came back 9.8. Ultimately I turned maybe $150 in miscellany into a few grand when it was all said and done. Obviously there's some luck involved there and I've made some awful buys over the years but discipline is key.