In the recent past, I began the process of obtaining my PPL. Once I slowly realized the long term associated costs with general aviation, such as club membership, aircraft rental etc, I instead elected to take advantage of FAA Part 103.
It essentially allows an individual to operate, albeit with a strict set of guidelines, an ultralight vehicle without any required licensing or certifications. Sure, it can only carry a single occupant and isn't allowed fly into controlled airports and has other limitations. But it will certainly satiate my appetite to fly.
So I went ahead and purchased a kit to build a wooden and cloth airplane! I’m currently building the fuselage section and hope to have the entire project complete within a few months.