Well, I started a forum with ZERO money and then put some more investment in it. Not all people can throw 1000 USD for a forum to be started that;s for sure.

I had a free host for 6 months and then got to a domain and paid hosting. I think I should have started on the domain from the first moment, but that's long gone.

used phpBB with a very modded skin and I got a VB license for free after helping a friend from the states with a forum she has. After doing some web design she wanted to pay me: I asked for a VB owned license to be bought for my main forum and here I am.

All the branding is mine and theme modding. I pay 30 USD a month for Adwords, but I think I'm gonna leave this out and focus on content and members instead of paying for this traffic. Already have tripled my traffic, so I am OK.

so .. I think I have some smaller prices in the end. anyway ... couldn't afford more. I don't even earn 1000 USD a month (I need 3 months to have this money and I also need to pay some bills).

anyway ... good resources