I'm not sure what's dumber, that you think a US passport costs $500 or that you had that much trouble getting a real ID which is at best a mid level inconvenience for anyone with the basic documents that virtually everyone is given upon being either born in this country or or becoming as legal resident.

The only way you wouldn't have what you need for a Real ID is if you were born in some hermit commune or if you aren't legally in the country.