I've seen Animation:Master at the last three MacWorld Expos, and have been just dying for an excuse to buy it. My son has taken an interest in stop-motion animation, but the expense of a $300 software package for an 8th grade school project has still been pretty steep, considering what else we also need to upgrade/purchase (camcorder, more disk storage, RAM, etc.). Basically I've waited for show special pricing, my kid's committment, and my meager post-Christmas budget to come to an agreement. Right now A:M's competing with Final Cut Express as the major family software purchase. If there were student pricing along the magnitude of MS Office Student/Teacher edition, I'd be there already.
But I'm close. Very, very close. I just hope we aren't surprised by any sudden water heater or car repairs!