That is a very sensible solution!
I ended up completing a set that was massively discounted, then got super lucky that the daily deal's May 2012 compilation ended up free -- I think since I had all the Gothique stuff from it, I didn't *need* to purchase anything else to get it for free. I didn't really understand how that all worked, but I think I'm getting it, and will be checking in on other compilations that go on sale.
What I invested the rest of my simpoints in was the Animals Abound Outdoor set, after learning that that purchase nets you TWO children compilations. I still have 100 sim points, that I think I'm hoping will be enough to get some more sales, since I had way more one-off items than I first thought.