For some people, it's not the $15 they want to avoid. It's the wait. And wait.
Anyway, two more things, Michael.
1. After expanding the Pi's filesystem to take full advantage of all you can on it, don't expand it again unless you reflash it again.
2. Don't know if it is still true, but for a while there, the default settings on stratux downloads have the logs turned ON. You might want to turn them off (on the settings web page) as mentioned before.
This stuff isn't hard. It's just a few more steps you didn't know about. Now, you know. Sorta like, how long did it take you to figure out to put your foot on the brake BEFORE you shifted into gear when you were learning to drive? :) :) Easy, --once you know!--
Suggest you make a checklist and add the appropriate parts to airplane startup and shutdown. It's only a few quick steps.
Enjoy!