What is best way to have cats around me if i do not want to deal with Vet bills?

i really love having cats around. i love their little whiskers, their little feet,long tails and how they talk. however i do not have much money so i cannot afford to take them to vets. I think i should not have a cat as a companion ( i hate the idea of owning an animal it sound like a form of slavery)if i cannot take it to a vet. Any ideas of what i can do so i can have these cute bundles of joy around me?