I did that too.. it was 1997, Fresh out of high-school, had my first job. I saved up some $400-something one week, and I went out and blew it on a single DirecTV reciever and single dish w/ free Self-install kit. My first Satellite dish install, and the dish is still there, and still has 95+ signal strength..
The funny part is, I bought it for my family, but everyone then wanted it in their own rooms, so my mother bought 3 more recievers (at $350 each), a dual LNB (for another $90), and a 2x4 multiswitch (for $150) Grand total.. about $1700
My mother has been a DTV subscriber ever since.. (talk about customer loyalty)