If you're gonna go cheap, I agree with Box. I say punch out the dent, fill it with bondo, and respray it yourself with rustoleum paint. I sprayed my winter beater a few years back with rustoleum and I must say, I am very impressed with the paint. Besides the few small rock chips on the hood, the car still looks the same as the day I painted it.
Before paint - A complete eye sore. Notice the big ass dent on the hood. I didn't bother to pull it out. Instead, I just slapped some bondo on it the ghetto way.

After paint. Bondo smooth and dent not very noticeable.

Close up of my bondo work. I've been slamming my hood shut for the last few years and the bondo hasn't chipped or popped off yet. I don't have a recent picture of it but it still looks good to me.
Rustoleum paint