I get what you're saying, but paying 8 USD annually for a Tuta mail account doesn't seem unreasonable in my eyes considering that's just the costs of services rendered (no bullshit, but not free).

There's a lot of great, free software that allows you to have a functional life on the internet without any of those issues, but if you're logging in to a mail server maintained by anyone, you pay with your money or your data.

I have two things I pay annually (and nothing else): My email provider, and for my domain registrar for my self hosting needs. Less than 20 USD a year combined.

Edit: three, forgot to include mullvad. Still under 20 USD tho total.