If you're looking for yield go all out or don't bother, I'm not saying don't do it on the cheap but if you're going to do it you might aswell make it work the effort and you say you can't afford to spend so much on bud, so you must consider

If you spent the money on marijuana would you get more than if you grew if it is then do it if not don't bother.

I did my grow for about £160($300) including bills, lights (even got an HID) seeds, compost, nutes, reflective sheeting, ventilation and i did the maths it worked out at about £8($16) an ounce. So in that sense it was worth it
. But make sure everyone you live with knows you're growing it can really fuck things up if your missus doesn't know about your growing activities and she finds out there could be hell to pay.