How many of you put your own money into buying steem power to get started?

I am obviously a new minnow, who is flailing his wee little fins around and trying to puff his chest out amongst a school of minnows.
In the few weeks I have been on steemit I have read a lot of tips and guides to getting started, yet, it seems that the only logical way to get your account moving quickly is by actually building enough steem power to have a say in things. Making your upvotes of value will attract a following, along with good content of course.

So, as you can see from the heading, how many of you experienced steemians (not only our beloved whales) have put money into building up your steem power? By the same token, any successful steemians here that have gotten far without putting in a cent?

Strategies

Please comment below the strategies used while investing your own money into building up your steempire (steem-empire). I believe, and hope, I am the first to use that term, upvote for creativity!!

I look forward to reading your comments and insights.
-threedprints