home depot just had cypress 2cuft bags 6 for 10. Where i am we can get mulch from the dump / recycling center sometimes because it does have a spot for people to dump plants etc. I have also had luck with landscape companies (tree removal) giving free woodchips if you wanted woodchips, most of them are happy to drop it off especially in spring when people have their dead trees they want out and after storms, the only down fall, usually you have to agree to a full load.

Mulch doesn't have to come from a bag. Any organic matter you put there will turn brown and look/act like mulch. Just start putting what you have, leaves, bits of trimmed plants, when you mow you can dump the bags if nothing you're mowing has seeds on it.

If you lay newspaper/cardboard first, you'll smother anything already growing, as well as prevent existing seeds on the ground from being able to sprout. As seeds are blown in on the wind or dropped by birds, they will sprout in any kind of mulch. When you see something sprouting, snag it before it gets big.

For dedicated path space, you could re-smother annually, after trees drop their seeds, for example, if you're getting an annual carpet of something like that sprouting. Thick layers of oak leaves are especially good at preventing seeds from sprouting.

If you want the look without full cost try layering newspaper, leaves, and then top with mulch. You'll buy less mulch, have a nice look, and still smother weeds etc.

i used some no-cost wood chips (i had to load n unload em, so they weren't "free"). I'm pleased with how they suppressed the weeds this year

Check with your city;
sometimes the landfill will give free mulch to residents.

Check with your city;
sometimes the landfill will give free mulch to residents.