Mining isn't free. You will need to purchase hardware if you want to mine in a capacity that's actually profitable. If those coins depreciate, then all that mining is for naught, same as if you had bought them with cash.
If you want to get by with the hardware you already own, look into Litecoin mining, then sell those Litecoins for cash or Bitcoin. Mt.Gox will support Litecoin transactions (indeterminate ETA).
Honestly I think the easiest path is to just buy coins and hope they continue to appreciate. I remember not too long ago buying a few when they were in their ~$90s USD, and then regretting buying them at that "high" price. Now it's more than doubled.
If you want to get by with the hardware you already own, look into Litecoin mining, then sell those Litecoins for cash or Bitcoin. Mt.Gox will support Litecoin transactions (indeterminate ETA).
Honestly I think the easiest path is to just buy coins and hope they continue to appreciate. I remember not too long ago buying a few when they were in their ~$90s USD, and then regretting buying them at that "high" price. Now it's more than doubled.