Adam, it really depends on what you like and want to make. I hated hearing that when I was starting out several years ago, but I've come to realize that it is so true. I bought a pair of ghosts, not becasue I loved them but because another breeder told me I couldn't do without a ghost pair in my breeding colony. Unfortunately, I still don't like many ghost combos . . .

Having said that, you may want to consider not purchasing your males this year, only your females. Since females take at least a year longer to mature, you can buy the females, grow them for a year while you're saving for your males. By next year there may be something new you want to put with your females. That will give you some extra $$ to spend now on your payment plan.

Since you are talking about making albinos and pastels and not wanting to go over what you have budgeted, you may want to consider a spider female now to make bees or albino spiders in the future. Another good idea IMHO is to buy a black pastel female - you could then make pewters (blask pastel plus your future pastel male) or black pastel albinos, a very cool new combo. Another idea is a pinstrip female - with your pastel male you could be making lemon blasts. Finally you may want to consider a mojave female - paired with a mojave male you could be making white snakes in the future if you are so inclinced. As you can see, the possibilities are endless and are only restricted by what you want/like and your $$.

Good luck and don't forget to tell us what you end up buying and of course post pics for us to drool over.