The push helps. This is a huge decision point for me, but shouldn't be.
Well, started pricing used boats. Guess things have changed a bit as my 1st Laser in '75 was $995 brand new! I also notice way new gear, where the earlier boats had very simple hardware. Geez, look at the blocks!
I've been watching some Youtube videos of Laser sailing to see if I can get the proper mindset! ('cause I'm still waffling!)
Another option would be to get a catamaran which can be sailed singlehanded with ease. I own a Seaspray cat and it fits the bill perfectly. it's easy to sail alone and easy to right if you manage to tip it.
Get the laser too though.
I just looked up the consumer price index to compare relative cost of a laser in 1972 to now. The CPI for 1972 was 40.1, today it is 214. A ratio of 5.3. Lasers cost $1000 then and cost $5400 now, a ratio of 5.4. So actually, in inflation adjusted dollars, They cost almost exactly the same. The good thing is that you can pick up a decent used one for a thousand bucks which is only 190 dollars in 1972 currency.
Barometer Soup