We're all poor. Don't get poorer. Do it yourself. Of course, if everyone did I wouldn't have a job. Anyway, If you have a banged up ceiling or need a cheap and quick way to provide excellent hide, stippling is the way to go. Some people think it looks trashy, but there are many different ways to texture that can look pretty classy, in my opinion. You can pick up a brush for about ten bucks and a bucket of mud for the same. Use lightweight mud, or mix some water with standard weight. For small spaces, I just use the brush (for large rooms it's quickest to use a roller to get it on the ceiling). Dip the brush in the bucket and spread it on the ceiling evenly so your texture depth doesn't vary greatly. Cover an area with mud, then go back to your starting place and push your brush into the ceiling and pull straight down. Work your way across the ceiling then call it a day.
