Embedded C Programming

How do I go about becoming an expert embedded C programmer and how do I do it without purchasing all the hardware necessary to test them with?

I am doing this because I want to get a job as an embedded C programmer and makes lots of money and being really respected.

Speaking of which, does anyone know any cheap microcontrollers that could potentially handle half-decent audio and a SATA hard drive?

Sometimes I just put my computer on to listen to music, but that's a bit of a waste of power.