Exactly. There is some great, affordable software out there - support it. N-track rocks. BiaB is a useful, affordable piece of software. I just registered my copy of Noteworthy Composer as well - well worth the few bucks.
Pay the few bucks, buy the real stuff. If you have to wait a month or two to save up - DO IT.
I won't say I've never used hacked copies - but I've always purchased anything I've decided I want to use.
Do it.