Yep - I hear ya. I haunt ebay and try to snipe some deals. I've found a few nice lenses over the past few years - mostly Sigmas but some Nikkors as well. I am a slave to fast lenses - if it is slower than 2.8 I usually pass. I have almost infinate patience. A couple favorites - Sigma 150 macro 2.8, Nikon 80 - 200 2.8, and a Sigma 80 - 400 4.5. These fill out some primes - mostly 1.4 - 1.8 - love the light. I guess I've never tried to learn artificial light... lol... Trouble is I like to take too many different shots - wildlife, sports, street, landscapes... Gotta get simple some day... 
David
150? That's an oddball focal length, you like it though? I've tried a 135, couldn't feel it. But since it's a macro lens, could be useful in some food photography. And since you're not hip to the artificial light, you may want to consider setting up a little studio in your kitchen. Do you have a flood or two? A diffuser or two? White cards/boards to bounce light? My kitchen cabinets are "whitish", I can bounce lights or a flash off the cabinets. Or open a cabinet door to bring the light in closer. Put your camera up on a tripod, get it set up and steady so you can play with the lighting.
Here's a quicky shot I did years ago, artificial light. Had a little white card on the left side, lit up the left side of the jar's label just a tad. Light on right bouncing off kitchen cabinets and back to subject. Set up your stage, then just place your food on there and off you go. Play time.
xo, Biggles
