Reloading is worthwhile for many people. It just depends what your time is worth. I use it as a get away as well as to save money. It also depends on how much you are going to shoot. If you're an occasional shooter, say less than 200 rounds per year, it isn't worth the hassle or the space it takes up. If you shoot more than that and if you can find a decent, used press, either progressive or single stage, then pay back will come about within the first 20x50 boxes. After that, you will be into cheap shooting. Many people compare the cost of shooting center fire pistol with 22rf. If you can't afford 22rf, stay away from center fire. You can't afford it.
Now, don't take this as a flame, it isn't intended as one in any way. The old adage comes to mind and is a valid point that I learned the hard way, "If you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it". I can understand frugality but if it's going to create hardships for your family, you can't afford it.
There are companies like BDX that offer loaded ammunition at very decent prices. Especially pistol ammunition. I bought a thousand 38spec/wadcutter from Omma in Vancouver for $125. At that price, I won't bother to reload.
Another thing, the larger the bullet diameter/weight the more expensive it gets. Johnone made some valid points. If you want it to be cheap you have to cast your own and buy components in bulk. Again, a substantial outlay of cash, depending on your circumstances and proximity to components. If you live in a rural area, the only source of cheap lead is wheel weights at the tire shop. That is if you can beat the down rigger crowd to it. There are also cast bullet manufacturers, like the Bullet Barn on Vancouver Island, they make a very good product but shipping will cut the savings way down.
If cost is a major factor, you may just be hooped, unless you can find a mentor to share his/her machine with you. That would be the ideal scenario for a newbie to get his feet wet.
A few years ago, I helped out a fellow that really wanted to get into shooting his 45acp 1911. He very diligently bought 1000 pieces of brass, primers, powder and commercial cast bullets at a local gun show. His cost was about $10/50 for his initial outlay. He still has 800 of the original batch left. He lost interest rather quickly. I admit, I don't have a progressive or automated press, just a turret press set up for pistol cartridges. It took him all of one full day to load the cartridges. He did a very good job of it to. He felt the effort wasn't worth the result. He sold his pistol and I told him to sell the cartridges as well.
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