Good luck with that. I was exactly the same and this is my 2nd full season. I have probably spent $40 on tokens, but I am very picky and like to think that it was worth it.
Now, thinking outside of this game for a moment...If I spend $40 on beer, wine, movies, food or whatever else I choose to categorize as entertainment, then thats my choice. This game is classified as entertainment for the most part. I had to think about this and realize that I just have to stop another form of entertainment to justify playing this.
Now, I cant justify spending $500 on this in a month, but over the course of the year, I hope that it never gets that high. I am not a sheik monsour or whatever and dont have money to throw around, but I can take the odd $$$ here or there and make my team a bit stronger.
It all comes down to what you want to spend on your entertainment budget. It seems many people want to spend their money on a fantasy game that does not give back anything except entertainment value. Some people would buy lottery tickets as they would prefer to see a return, no matter how much the odds are stacked against them.
All that to say, instead of going out with the guys for an evening, save the bucks and buy a scout. Odds are you will be happy with the result......unless you are in the cup against players 3-6 times your level. If thats the case, go get pi$$ed drunk and tap the wife.