Yes. Don't look at other people's picks, and do your homework with PPs before the M/L odds are out (or black them out with a marker) so it doesn't influence your picks.
If you're looking for winning tickets from the sources you mentioned, you won't do well.
I'm a recreational gambler.
Many women I see spend a whole lot more shopping for clothes, purses, shoes and makeup......and stuffing their faces in restaurants.
(And in all categories, lets just say many of them, as well as their closets, are already *overflowing*.
)
I prefer to "waste my money" this way instead. Racing is a fun sport, and if you win big once in a while, it's even more fun.
And I don't get big credit card bills at the end of the month from charging stuff. I have a cash bankroll for the day for racing. Never go over it.