I definitely stick to the acid free. If I'm concerned about the high price of fabric then I have to be willing to avoid products that will ruin it, whether I paid full price or not.
As for not quilting enough, I quilt as often as I can and the reason I have a stash at all is so that I can find that perfect fabric I bought four years ago with no particular quilt in mind. When I'm ready to use it I want to know it's in good shape and I didn't throw away whatever I spent on it.
If I didn't want to spend money for acid free boards, then I would use the ruler folding method which is as easy as pie. (Why do they say easy as pie? I've made a pie and unless it's Sara Lee it's not that easy. It should be easy as cake.)
My Joann's turns over their fabric very quickly. I'm going to ask the next time I'm there, but I would guess most bolts are gone within a month or two.