It pays to be picky when buying 40K from GW.
I have been noticing more and more folks are getting into 3D printing and some folks are coming up with figures that could easily be crossed inot the 40K realm and for a heck of a lot less money. My brother has picked up a 3D printer and is using it with his kids to make miniatures. I have a friend that I am going in on for a 3D printer and supplies, he'll be the brains behind getting it going, and I'll help pay for what I am looking to have, although we're eying mostly historicals at the moment.
I'm considering not playing the 40K rules again either, just too much to keep up with these days. Instead, hoping the Xenos Rampant works well enough for sci-fi. The whole Rampant system seems ideal for quick and fun games without all the hocus pocus.