do you have an auto body school/ Votech close by ?
Maybe you could get the primer shot cheaper by the students .

Doesnt hurt to look around , or go to paint jobbers and see if some one does some painting on the side for a reduced price .

materials arent cheap any more , as I am doing a 86 Bronco II on the side and I have $700 in just paint right now . and thats my cost Thats not including the little bondo i used , or the primer , or the tape and paper , or sand paper . add all that and its around 1000 bucks .