Through my journey here is what I learned to keep the costs down. First of all, you have to strive for the best quality you can produce by yourself with what you have. I never went to any sound engineering school nor have i taken piano lessons. What i did do was practice. Practiced hard. I practiced for, what seems my whole life, a minimum of an hour a day. I remember my drill instructor in bootcamp would repeat “PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT”. And it’s true.

Read everything you can about what you want to or need to learn! There are a ton of articles all over the internet. A lot of times, I’ve even been able to contact the writers to ask specific questions. There are even forums filled with music genius’s from industry to theory who are ready to help you. You’ll be surpirsed who you may meet.

If you have trouble in an area, find someone who can help you or do it for you for free. Many times you will be able to learn that person’s technique and can do it on your own. Working with others is one of the most important things you can do because you increase your knowledge incredibly fast.
At the end, whatever you can do on your own, you won’t have to rely on or pay other people. So practice what you do, keep educating yourself, and work with other people and you’re on your way.