I would occasionally buy fabrics that I liked, but most often lower quality. I asked for gift cards or money for my birthday and Christmas and used that to get sewing supplies and fabric. I got a wonderful set of Mundial scissors/pinking shears/thread clipper as a gift one year. I used flat sheets a lot for quilts (and curtains). Now I can afford to buy better fabrics and also I go to secondhand shops and buy 100% cotton men's dress shirts which serves two purposes: I get cotton fabric cheap and I also add buttons to my button jar. When I started quilting, I had three little ones and my husband, at that time, drove OTR too. I understand totally how you feel. You'll get there. Just pick up little bits at a time and like others have said, watch garage sales and such for things.