Absolute cheapest will cost you time.
I found a used AVX for $400 (yeah, not the best, but it works) good enough.
Then I found a used Vixen r130sf for $120 and an astromodded Canon for $120 on Cloudynights: https://www.cloudynights.com/classifieds/ You have to be willing to haggle, but don't insult or lowball anyone on there.
Then I got al the extras you realize you need after the fact: bahtinov mask ($20), laser collimator ($20), Telrad ($55), T-Ring adapter ($20), zoom eyepiece ($60) not the greatest, but it works ok.
Then I went and bought Backyard EOS for $50: https://www.otelescope.com/
I already have a laptop, and assorted cables.
All in all I'm in for just under $1000... and it shows. The camera had dust on the sensor, so I got a cleaning kit and very very carefully cleaned the sensor and mirror. My images are better, but I still have a lot to learn in post processing of images.
Look for eyepiece suggestions. I have a Zhumell Z10, 1250mm focal length f/5.
Right now I have a small budget of around $100.
I was looking at either getting the SVBONY Redline 6, 9, 15, 20 kit or a zoom lens (SVBONY or celestron) and a 6mm for planets.
I've mostly been using the 30mm superview that came with the scope, which has been great for most DSO's I've seen. the 9mm is OK, but I haven't found much of a use for it other than looking more closely at a few smaller objects.
The zoom seems nice so I wouldn't have to keep swapping eyepieces, but I'm wondering if it the field of view is worse than the redline kit.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
So far everything on this telescope works decent enough. But still a lot of room for improvement.
I watched a few videos on eyepieces and picked up one of these on Amazon after one video noted that if you are just getting started don't get too caught up in buying expensive eye pieces and that a zoom eyepiece may be a decent starting point. I also got a 2x and a 5x barlow lens and this UHC filter at the recommendation of a friend. I watched a video on collimation and I now have a laser collimator on the way. I did watch a video on a way to do it manually, but for $26, hey why not.
Edit: What would be a good starting point if I wanted to get something that would be able to do star tracking and so on that isn't gonna break the bank? Or is it a thing that no matter what, it will cost $$$$