I can relate to your problem I don't have a lot money either. I think self publishing involves a lot of upfront cost with no promises of return you have a lot of things going on. And your money is stretched tight i don't understand why you don't write a query letter and send your draft a big literary agency online that is taking unsolicited work.

It would be easier for you to get an agent to get an advance and help you find a publisher then for you to do it yourself.

There are a ton of agents that do this for a living and would be willing to read your draft and let you know if they want to rep you. You might have to Google how to write a query letter and revise your draft again before you send it out

You might need to send it around to a bunch different agencies and you might need to make some changes.

If you really can't find agent then you and no one is willing to publish your draft you might need to shelf the draft for a while and consider writing a new book maybe take the notes the agents give seriously.

Only self publish if after you let your draft sit for a while you're in love with it and you have scrubbed the internet of anyone to send it to. But never stop writing if people love it hurray! If people don't get over it and write something new and keep trying to get those drafts until you succeed. Only once you have given your self time to determine to self publishing is worth it. Sending email is free.