I completely understand. My growth here has been slow as well. The great thing about SM is that 100% of the investment can be earned back so I look at it as a placement holder for that $10 instead of a lost $10. It can be difficult to win back that $10 with just the $10 starter pack purchase but it can be done with steady game play in a relative short period of time via earning free daily cards and selling them on the market or placing in some novice/bronze level tournaments.

Even if you don't feel like buying the starter pack/ playing in tournaments there are plenty of giveaways here on the blockchain that award free cards. You could enter and win some and sell them on the market to help your Steem growth. There is no purchase needed for collecting / trading or selling SM cards.