I understand. Times are tough and you gotta be resourceful.
Try this. Straigten out a coat hanger. Make a loop in each end by twisting the wire back on itself several times. Run the wire thru the bike frame and around a post. You may have to twist a couple of hangers together to make one long enough. Put the lock arm thru the loops, close, and voila! You've locked your bike up at no cost. Only a determined thief would have a chain cutter with him, and others would be too lazy to undo your twisted wire. The determined thief wouldn't let a normal bike chain stop him anyway.
You could also use a rope the same way. Would stop the casual thief as long as he didn't have a knife.
I'm sure there are other ways. If I think of any, I'll get back to you.
