I have a complete loose NTSC licensed set and about 500 boxes/manuals. Took a few years, and it was before prices were anywhere near where they are now (finished summer of '09), but it was a lot of fun.

My best advice at the beginning is to buy large lots on Ebay and sell or trade your doubles. You'll knock many of your list on the cheap and won't stall out until you're near the 500 game mark.

Good luck!