You should probably join your local aquarium club, you might be amazed at whats actually available in your area.
At our clubs auctions a bag of 10 young managuense will go for under $5. And the same might go for a bag of 10 dovii, or any Parachromis.
One of the last auctions, a 7"-8" mated pair of haitiensus went for $7.
We also have swap meets where breeders bring a host of species that go for very reasonable prices.
There is one coming up, and I've seen a bag of 8 festae juvies, or 8 istlanum, or 8 red tiger motaguense $20 per bag.