Another thought.(posted 8340 days ago)Setting up an infrequent film processing darkroom is not that difficult. In terms of chemical steps, it can be cut down to developer, fixer, and wash, at no cost on image quality, if developer and fixer are properly designed. I have developed such formulae, and now testing them. There is also monobath option, which imposes a lot of cost in terms of image quality.
You need a tank, a thermometer, film drying clips, but that's it. You can get Acer ScanWit (assuming 35mm format) or something for proofing and casual printing.
After all, if you are happy with having to use chromogenic films, paying your local lab a few bucks is definitely the easiest way, but since you said you have been interested, I am saying it is not as burdensome to set up as high volume labs. One problem is that I don't see many articles that explain how low-volume infrequent darkroom can be set up. If this is indeed the case, and if several people are interested, I might write my own with my formulae included.