Age has some benefits , When In Doubt , Go with the Best. and you went with the best available at this time.
When Cost is the first restriction , a person should Rethink or postpone a purchase until they can look at the entire situation.
Congrats on good path picks, you will progress quickly and make up your extra front end investment in you future of competing.
You sound like my grandfather. He would tell me when I was a child to always buy the best you can afford. And never throw money away.