Try to learn gardening on a budget. I found seeds at the dollar store for a nickel per pack. Are those any good? Also beach buckets on clearance for 50 cents. I used my husbands sauder iron to punch holes. I'm in South Texas so it gets really hot here. Any suggestions on easy to grow, hard to kill , drought resistant and heat tolorant plants I can start with? What about propagation? A friend invited me to take cuttings to help me get started. Anything out there easy to propogate? Thank you so much. 😊

Sounds like you are off to a good start and within budget.
I have purchased the bargain seeds from the dollar store and they are okay for the money. Seeds are sold at clearance prices near the end of the gardening season and seeds loose some viability each year but you should be able to succeed.
Two questions please:
What type of plants do you want to grow from seed?
What type of cuttings is your friend offering?

If your friend is an experienced gardener, by all means take them up on the offer of cuttings, and ask lots of questions about them. This is absolutely the best way to get started with plants that will be well suited to your area. If your friend is growing them near you, your climate conditions at least are similar.

Probably soil is also similar but ask your friend if they have improved their soil, and using what. Some counties have excellent composting programs at the landfill and here, at least, the compost is free and very good. You can't go wrong adding compost to your area, especially if it's free. Take a big plastic tub or a clean trash can and fill it up to bring home. In hot climates compost doesn't last more than a year or so, so you will want to plan on doing this every year. Spring is a good time to amend beds that are already planted.

Also observe exactly where and how your friend is growing the plants that you get the cuttings of. So, if your friend's plants are growing in the shade of a tree, you need to find a spot in similar shade because that plant probably won't do well in the sun.

Ask about how much water the plants need. Water can be a big, ongoing expense in starting a garden. Plants first getting started from cuttings need lots of water in hot weather, but as they get going and establish a good root system they will need less and less. Rain barrels, and collecting "grey" water in your shower or bathtub can save you money on watering your plants.

I'm not 100% sure, but might not want to use a soldering iron to put holes in a bucket. Some plastics turn brittle or can be toxic when burned. Especially PVC. use a drill and a half inch sized drill bit.

Also take a look at the usda zone. That will help you to know what plants are successful in your area. Plants are considered full sun if they have direct sunlight for 6 hours or more. Partly sunny/cloudy if the direct sunlight is off and on from say a shade tree. And considered shade if they get less than 6 hours direct sunlight daily.

Good luck in your gardening adventures

Welcome to NGA, @Marylp !

Are you wanting to grow veggies? or flowers? and, what ones, specifically??

cuttins? of what type of plant??

also, for many things the "beach buckets" might not be large enough.

I have no doubt you can find all the answers to your questions here... we just need a bit more specific info!

Hi there !😎
I buy 10 and 20 cent seeds at wherever? Keep them in refrigerator and they last for years.
😎😎😎

Hi and welcome @Marylp. If you look at the upper right corner of posts, you will see our names, (usually), and our location, and growing zones. This helps us all know what things may grow well for each other, and help with advice. If you want to go to your profile and post this information I have a feeling you may get a few offers for seeds from some of us who have a few extra, that will grow in your climate.