The most I usually buy at a time is 4. On occasion more. I like to listen to albums several times to give them a chance to sink in. The cash flow issue does also play a part.
I prefer getting like 5 to 10 CDs when I buy new stuff.
Start listening to three or four, give them a few spins and repeat the process with the others left.
My last haul was pretty big, like 22 or 23, so it will take some time till I get new CDs. Shit is, bands I really like are releasing (Gojira, Enslaved, Exodus), but I'll try to avoid going broken