Didn't skip any meals, but, for several years after Y2K I bought no guns and concentrated just on ammo when prices bottomed out. Cases of 7.62x51 from AIM for $149, shipped. 2 cases of the SK made Wolf MT for $186 each, shipped, 7.62x39 that was $60 to $75/case and similarily discounted .45acp. Got the least of the .45acp, but ended up with 4k rounds of that. The 2, 7.62 rounds were over 7k for each and the .22lr, over 10k with some bricks of CCI SV. There was zero 5.56 or, 9mm, since I had no guns in those calibers. Still don't.
Once the AWB sunsetted in 2004 ammo prices climbed rapidly and I went back to buying guns in the calibers I had stockpiled.
There is not much that those 4 calibers won't handle, but, I did snag a C. Sharps 1875 in .45-70 for what they may miss.

That one was NOT bought by the case.
All those first time gun buyers? Between the pandemic and events of Jan 6, I really believe that there will be no rush to get rid of those newly purchased firearms. The future is certainly uncertain and no telling what next comes out of left field. JMO
Rob