You will pretty much need a crashpad, at least while you are on reserve. I know guys that have slept in the crew room at the airport, and showered at the airport gym, and done that for 2-3 months while they were on reserve to avoid paying for a crash pad, but I think that's absurd. Spring for the $150 or so a month and get a $500 car. If you aren't willing to do that much, you probably should think about an airline with a junior base in a town you want to live in, or a different profession.