why how much do they charge Nadir?

Don't you think "leeching" is kind of a strong word? I understand you don't want to pay for training that may not get you anywhere, but if you find a school worth attending, a fee for learning an art should not be something you even consider bad. I see getting good training the same concept as college. You pay for the knowledge, and it takes you in a positive direction. You obviously haven't done enough research, or if so you have looked in the wrong places. I pay 80 a month for my training in Northern Shao-Lin, also here in sw Washington, and I consider that a minimal expenditure for what I get. Also, if you were actually serious about obtaining the desired training, you wouldn't be worried about a small school fee. Those same fees you pay into the school are benefical to you, helping pay for equipment, sponsoring tournaments, and keeping the school in good running condition. Your best bet would be looking for an individual master, one who does not have his own school. We don't live in the 12th century, where you would look for acceptance into a school, then dedicate your life to training, and that is that. Do some more research, go to the actual schools, interview, check resumes and lineages, ask for a demonstration. If it's traditional quality combat training you are looking for, at least in the u.s., a couple dollars will get your foot in the door. When you find the right place, money will not be the issue.