I was only talking about the mods & paint.

I thought the Salsa was going to work its way into your heart and join the stable. Oh well. Someone will love it.

If we do want to count pennies, yes, a donor bike can be a very economical way to build up and I grant you the frame salvage credit. But its some Freakonomics if you're going to count your other miscellaneous CL/yard sale-ing off the top line of this build. However, I am not one to confirm or deny thriftiness. Whether one's particular pleasure is the thrill of miserly success, the joy of squander, or magnificent cost-spec acquisition optimization, this is a recreational activity (at least partly). Again, enjoy! You've deftly assembled quite a steed. Ride well, cowboy.