What's the cheapest way you've found to buy crypto without getting destroyed by fees?

I used to think buying crypto instantly with a debit/credit card was the easiest option... until I realized how much money was disappearing through hidden spreads and payment fees.

After comparing different methods, here's what stood out:

• Spot trading is usually much cheaper than using the "Instant Buy" button.
• Bank transfers often cost far less than credit cards.
• P2P marketplaces can be great if you're careful and only trade with verified merchants.
• Network withdrawal fees matter just as much as trading fees.
• Many "zero-fee" platforms still hide costs through wider spreads.

I also noticed that buying USDT first and then trading on the spot market can sometimes be more cost-effective than buying BTC or ETH directly.

I'm curious how everyone here approaches it.

Questions:

• What's your go-to method for buying crypto with the lowest fees?
• Do you mainly use Spot, P2P, or Instant Buy?
• Which exchange has consistently been the cheapest in your experience?

Looking forward to hearing real experiences rather than advertisements.