Ask any Triathlete and they will tell you that triathlon is NOT an inexpensive sport.  I’m sure you can get by on a minimum budget.  But for folks that like gear, gear that is intended you make you look great and/or compete better or maybe, I suppose in some cases, both, you can drop some serious cash.  Tri suit, check, sun glasses, check, bike gloves, check, bike shoes, check, running shoes, check, running hat, check, sports nutrition, check.  Can’t you just hear that credit card machine churning out receipts?  It did and it still does…I am a self professed gear junkie.