items require currency to acquire

jobs will provide you with currency

The cost of a 3D printer is more than just a printer. Other things to consider are the consumables like filament, periodic replacement parts and a computer to do the slicing.

An idea on getting a low cost printer; The Goodwill Store in your neighborhood sometimes can have a 3D printer for very cheap; these are usually from hobbyists that lost interest in 3D printing and just wanted to get rid of the printer. Pricing may be $50 or less but may require repairs/parts.

A no cost alternative to getting started in 3D printing is to contact a local library or if you still have access to a school makerspace, to see if they have a 3D printer you can share time on - sometimes its free and sometimes its a low fee to rent the printer time.

I get it, it sucks. Saving sucks too.

Keep an eye out for deals and freebies, especially locally. I've seen Ender 3s go for $50 and sometimes free when the user gets frustrated.

Don't give up, save those pennies and keep hunting for deals.

Start off with less pricy but more manual means if your looking to do some crafy stuff. Hand carved and polished pieces from some shop wood or such have potential if you put them up on a site like Etsy.

Comgrow has Amazon returns printers for $69. There are no returns and may be missing a part or two (mine was missing belts and the bed), but if you plan to tinker anyway, the parts are not terribly expensive.

That said, it definitely requires money. You'll still need filament, at the least. You're not going to get into 3d printing for free. Try to get a part-time job. Since it's the summer, ask neighbors to mow their yards for money.

Used/Returned Ender 3

Get a job and work for it.

Before I was old enough to drive, I mowed lawns and chopped firewood for extra money.

Some libraries will have 3d printers that can be used for printing the odd thing.

Look to see if there are any "maker spaces" near you (although they are more like to charge for access)

You may be able to get a cheap second hand printer on various second hand sites.

Realistically - get a job, that's how everyone else affords this stuff 🤷‍♂️ (not sure how old you are - you may be able to persuade your parents to get you a cheap printer if your interested in 3d modeling etc)

You would also need a computer with your 3d printer as you just don't feed printer with files from internet. (Actually, they are a few case where you can but it is very limited). As for your question: To save money, you need to earn money...

who is yet to get a job and would rather do something like a sidehustle

Unfortunately you're going to be asking this question for most luxury goods if you don't get a job. Side hustles are nice, but they're called side hustles because you do them on the side, in addition to your job. I mean if you can sustain your standard of living with a hustle, then by all means, more power to you. Most people can't.

Imma be real with you boss, get a shitty job for a month then quit. Even McDonald's pays over $15 nowadays, they're always hiring and as long as you show up they aren't gonna fire you. 24 hours a week for 4 weeks will get you like $1,200 to just screw around with. 3 days a week is like $300 after tax.

Maybe see if there's a library or maker space near you with one?