GEESH!!!!! The cost of even Christmas Lights!!!

I use 200 light strings on the edge of my roof (4 to circle entire house) and several others for bushes and a tree. The damned things are $24.99 this year. Last year, they were $19.99. Two years ago, $16.99 My lights are good to go but I'm afraid when the strings start going bad, I'm gonna HAVE to cut back. 3 years ago, I replaced ALL the strings with new and spent under $500. I bet it's close to $800 now.