Matt, I think your best bet is to wait for the time being and just leave your Tele as is. From time to time I've thought about refinishing my MIM Tele, but if I did so it would be to simply change the color, not to relic it or change to a nitro finish. As adaptable said, the type/quality of the wood on an entry-level MIM tele is probably not worth the extra effort.
I think you wait until you have the funds to get a good basic tele that's the right starting point for a project of this type, as Cary has done. Until then, your current guitar is still fun to play, even if it doesn't have the look you really want.
As for the whole relic "movement," I prefer the Closet Classic Fenders, where the pickguard has greened and the hardware looks aged, but the finish isn't all beat up.
I own one
real relic, which is my 66 Jaguar. I bought it on the cheap in the early 80s and most of the damage had already been done by the previous owner. I actually thought about refinishing it a few times, but now I'm glad I did not. However, if I had my choice it would not have the level of damage you can see in the close-up photo. The finish is very nicely weather-checked and the guitar has a great 60s surf vibe, but I could do without the gouges that go all the way to the wood. I'd love to know what the hell that guy was doing with this guitar -- I think he may have swung it into a few amps
Well, that's my two cents.