I know I should be using encryption online, but the prices for top-tier providers are ridiculous, like $15 a month. I just need basic protection and access to some geo-blocked sites. Are there any cheaper alternatives that are still trustworthy?

You definitely don't need to pay premium prices for good security. I use ProHoster, and it is very budget-friendly. You can buy vpn access from them for a fraction of the cost of the big brands. You get the same level of encryption, plenty of servers, and good speeds, but you don't pay for their massive marketing campaigns.