If you are going to be limited in your expenditures, I would recommend looking for baits with versatility; it's the best way to get the most (styles of) baits per dollar. To me the mayfly is the clear winner as it is easily modified for three different looks all from the same mold... you get a spider looking front half, a minnow looking back half (if you rotate it 90 degrees), and the whole bait as a big juicy morsel. (I haven't fished the whole bait as of yet, but I have done well on both halves through the ice.)
The thumper fry is also fairly versatile, as you can pinch off the end of the tail to make it more of a pin style if the thump is too aggressive.
