Just get your Mother-In-Law an R/C... She'll be off the pipe in no time...
As far as the "stupidity" factor goes in this hobby...........
If a hobbyist doesn't have a pot to piss in, & is taking food off his family's table to buy parts, then thats stupidity...
If I want to spend my hard earned $$ on something that makes me happy, keeps me out of the bar, & someday will bring my son the same happiness, then what's wrong with that. I've invested well over 2k in just the last 3 years, & I have no regrets...