Money saving tips so you can buy more plants, from someone who grew up rural poor:
1. First, figure out what you spend your money on. Literally, look at your bank account for the past month, and build a spread sheet that shows you what you spent in each category. For most people, the biggest expense will be housing, then utilities and/or insurance, then food.
2. Look at each expense and see if you can reduce it meaningfully, and how. For example, my water bill is annoyingly big- but the usage charge, the charge for what I actually use and thus control, is about 15 bucks a month. So even if I was the most water conserving person, the most I could save would be $12. Which is not worth it, from a money saving perspective.
Housing: can you get a housemate? Can you get another? Can you let someone park their trailer/van in your driveway? Obviously check local laws and your rental agreement/insurance, etc if relevant, but how creative can you get? Maybe you could rent your living room out as workspace? Can you retrofit a backyard shed and live in that while you rent out the main house? Turn the garage into an art studio that you can rent out? I know a lot of people feel icky about being a landlord but you can rent it out below market rate meaning the person you're renting to and you both benefit. If you own and renting out a room means you can keep paying your mortgage so that you don't foreclose that keeps that house out of the hands of the megacorps- who definitelywon't be charging below market rate. You can even keep track of who you rent to, and if/when you sell and make a profit, give them a proportionate share.
Power can also be a huge bill. Things like getting those plastic sheets to insulate your windows in the winter, line drying your clothes (even if they only get 50% dry, that's a lot less wear and tare on your clothes & dryer, and will save power costs), making awnings for the summer, wearing a sweater in winter, and so forth can make a big difference. Also if some cities/counties/states have programs to retrofit your furnace or other things for free. Meaning you spend less money on heating and cooling. Also passive solar depending on your situation.
For food- can you learn to like beans? Can you learn slow cooker recipes so that you come home or wake up to a hot meal?
I'm given to understand that people spend money on subscriptions. May I tenderly suggest the library? Or other means of accruing entertainment for free? Also, board game nights. Knitting circles? TTRPG? Or other get togethers. Free or nigh free entertainment and solving the loneliness epidemic in one go.
Food part two: learn to grow and/or forage the expensive things. No, I'm not telling you to go grow staple crops like the preppers and I suggest you DON'T do that until you've got acres and gardening skills. But, if you have a few square feet, maybe grow some fresh herbs like green onions, cilantro, basil, etc. A handful of fresh herbs in your meal makes food 500% better. If you've got a bit more space than that, look into tomatoes and your favorite leafy greens. But do, please, focus on the most expensive fruits, herbs, and vegetables that you buy- and grow the ones that are easy where you are.
3. Become a creative problem solver. Learn to mend. Learn to turn off machines that aren't working and do basic troubleshooting. Check out free events, free piles, yard sales, etc. Find ways to make what you need from scraps, get it free and repair it, or whatever you can to not buy it new.
4. Carpool.
I'm sure there's more tips, but I'm gonna leave it there for now. Feel free to share your tips.
