Put the tickets on a United miles credit card and get mileage points too. I flew with a captain several years ago that bought tickets frequently. He just considered that the cost of living where he wanted to live because he wouldn’t be happy in any of our bases or living anywhere but in the middle of BFE. I occasionally buy tickets, my bidding options are restricted, and I miss out on premium trips because of where I live, but I consider that money well spent. The name of the game is being happy on your days off.