I won't explain what gas fees are. But I'll tell you this: My first contracts cost me $9 total in gas. $9 for a permanent on-chain portfolio. Less than a coffee subscription. "Too expensive" isn't your problem. "Haven't started" is. The education costs $0. The deployment costs pennies. The excuses cost you everything. Base Sepolia testnet is FREE. Practice there until you're confident. Then spend your $9.