Actually, I'd say that, while difficult, getting rid of breads and grains is doable on the cheap. It just requires going back to less often purchased vegetables, and in-season purchasing. And, of course, canning. This year, I'm going to try to can an entire years' worth of fruits and vegetables as they come in season so I can save a boatload. Think about it like this: out of season peaches cost $1.29-$1.49 per pound, whereas in season peaches cost $0.39 per pound (and lower toward the end of the season if you know where to shop). Canning a years' worth could save you a buttload, if you're a peach eater like me. For a years' worth, I intend on canning nearly 200 lbs. At those quantities, prices plummet to indescribably low levels (indescribable because they're sold by the bushel and not the pound). I should end up saving around $200/yr for my peaches alone. It's the same with a whole bunch of things. And if you don't like canning, you can always freeze things. Most fruits and veggies freeze quite well and will keep upwards of one year in a good chest freezer.
And, when on a budget, you should be sure to shop the more local farmers' type markets. Every town has them, and their produce prices usually are significantly better than the big box stores. And be sure to pick up the less often used root vegetables when they're in season (right now in the northern hemisphere) like beets, turnips, parsnips and rutabegas. Those veggies are very filling, extremely tasty and quite cheap (but only at stores which sell a lot of them, like farmers' markets). Those are really what allowed me to ditch bread. That and curry.
As far as true paleo, I'm not sure if I want to give up beans, lentils and rice. Those are far too cheap and easy to cook. I'm tryin' though, Ringo. I'm tryin' real' hard.
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