Since I only got into this stuff in 2008, and don't have nearly the savvy of everyone else here, I would say the economy hasn't held me up.
Since December, 2008:
Ibanez Gio GSR200FM (gone now) and Marshall Mini Lead 12
'08 Danelectro '63 Longscale
'06 Epiphone Thunderbird
Fender 15" Bassman Compact
'02 Telecaster Classic 60
'07 Telecaster Standard
'95 Fender Cowpoke Bass
'72 Fender Bassman 10
To be fair though, none of this stuff was new, most came off CL or eBay and were cheap and the oldest item, the Bassman 10, cost me the most.