As I see it the only way to get your money back and make a little extra is to buy hardware around or Above $2000. As ASIC mining technology advances shortly after so does the difficulty. When that happens the only way to be profitable is to run the newest machines for Several weeks or a few months following their mass production debut. That's why I'm looking at co-op or possibly overclocking the previous generation machines (I'm even contemplating my own ASIC design, but it will be a couple years before I start my Masters degree and get to play with that sort of hardware).

On the other hand I find it interesting that the bitcoin has increased in value so much that the USB erupters that I purchased my actually pay for themselves before the difficulty increases one or two more times.

If I'm wrong About this, someone Please correct me.  I'm always up for good lesson.