Financial talk

In my search for a toy poodle...I am having issues with finding a puppy that isn't from a kennel. I have had bad experiences. I don't want a dog that is created just for profit and put in a cage from the day its born with no love. Here are my choices. I can pay $250.00 and get a puppy that is 3 hours away. With gas you are talking about $330.00 when its all said and done. Or go local and spend $400.00. Both of these puppies are home-raised. Now there is another place that is local but it is a kennel and I can get one for $300.00. What should I do?? Its just hard to spend a whole lot of money for a dog because they can get sick and die...especially little dogs. I know from personal experience. I would really like to stay in the $300 range and I am not picky about male or female. But it seems hard to do!! by the way...I live in a very poor area. People would never sell their dogs if they were very high-priced. And I won't be breeding the dog. I just want one as a pet.