I was making clothes way before I became a quilter and a serger is wonderful to have for garmet making. My favorite t-shirt pattern can be whipped up in under two hours from the time I cut the fabric to putting it on. I serge all the seams and do a tiny bit on my domestic machine................finish with a double needle hemming on the waist and sleeves.
If you sew with knits a serger is wonderful. I also finish off all my seams for garmets with a serger finish..............keeps it looking really nice.
I had a cheap serger which broke and cost more to repair thatn what I paid so I replaced it with a Bernina middle of the line model and just love it. You do not need an expenisve serger as long as it makes a nice sitich.