How much do your sweater/cardi projects tend to cost?

I am itching to graduate to using better, non-fully-acrylic, non-chain store yarns but still dream of staying as affordable as possible (under $30 of yarn, $40 max! Is this possible without having to use acrylics?). Sometimes I see others making sweaters out of $200+ worth of yarn which look stunning but a bit too rich for my bood 🫣 Even going over $75 for a sweater makes sweat.

What have you made lately with what yarn and what was the final project cost? What are your favorite affordable yarns for garments that keep costs down? And what yarns ended up being worth the splurge for you? Thanks in advance.

Edit: Thank you everyone for your thoughtful input!! Occasional thrifting/unraveling sounds like a great solution for me as I already love to thrift hunt. And I really appreciate all the reccomendations for budget friendly yarns and brands - cascade and drops are definitely brands I will prioritize, and I didn't realize Knitting for Olive Merino actually had great yardage for the price so I will be trying that as well! And you're right, spending a little more (or saving up for a project) for something handmade with hours of love and enjoyment put in is worth consideration for sure. Thank you again!