Pro Tip: It's okay to have a small budget. Just say so.

Many people will look to hire developers, knowing that they don't have very much budget.

Unfortunately, many people have the idea, "If I tell people what my budget is, they'll ask for all of it"

Yes. If you have a small budget that doesn't buy much, all of it is going to be used.

Don't waste hours of your own time and theirs talking all about your project when you know that you won't even be able to afford 90% of the people you are talking to. Get a feel for going rates. State up front: "This is what I can pay."

If you know you can only pay $20/hr and your candidate says, "Hi! I'm from New York City", that should set off an alarm bell you prolly can't afford this person.

Say so before you waste an hour of everyone's life. If they say, "Oh, $20 is fine!" then you're cool. Prolly they won't.

So, as a courtesy to the developers & a time saver to yourself, stop being secretive about the money you have.