I don't spend that much money on coffee beans but I have the cheapest blade grinder I could buy (one day I will be able to justify replacing it, probably with a Wilfa).

The trick is to shake the grinder up and down while it is cutting. I can get a surprisingly even grind that doesn't get too hot. Good enough for a trouble-free Aeropress plunge, anyway.

These days I am all about the cheap solutions; I'll probably treat myself to a lever-press espresso machine at some point.