I don't think that's a valid excuse, especially when it comes to software.
Most programs have a open source or freeware alternative these days.
Want photoshop? Get gimp.
Want MS Office? Get Open Office.
etc.
Sure the professional tools are sometimes better, but if you're a professional, then pay for them.
My rule: if I can't afford it and want it, I'll work until I can.
Easy when you earn a lot. But when you earn less than £200 a month like me it's not. It would simply be foolish for me to buy software that expensive when I can get it for free. GIMP is nowhere near as good as Photoshop. OpenOffice is fine for normal things. But I wouldn't buy Photoshop anyway, so it's no loss to them.