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I wouldn't even think of adding studs to anything but snow tires.
You didn't tell us where you live or how much winter weather you expect to get. Assuming it snows where you are, you can't only protect yourself against packed snow/ice at stop signs. You need to be reasonably equipped for all likely possibilities.
If you live in an area with serious winter weather, get good snows or studded snows. The best you can afford. A few comments re. affordability later on...
Anyway, remember that you'll get your money's worth out of the treadlife you buy. That is, your summer tires will last longer because they'll be "on vacation" all winter.
I live in southern New England, drive on a mix of local roads and interstates. Sometimes plowed, sometimes not. I haven't had studded snows in over 11 years of rear-drive Volvo driving. During winter we use four regular snow tires on our cars. Two as an absolute minimum if the adult child driving the car is temporarily impoverished and is driving one of mom and dad's cars - but the fronts have to be good all seasons, in that case. But my car always gets four snows.
Studs have their own disadvantages. They have less traction on dry or rainy pavement than plain rubber. I've had studded snows (rears)lose traction on dry pavement under hard braking; it was very scary (not a Volvo). And studs are noisy.
Anyway, get real snow tires if you will get snow and ice. Don't think that "al season" tires will do the job. If you expect snow covered pavement nearly all winter long, consider studded snows. Everyone has a preference but I wouldn't get studs if I expect to see the pavement often.
As for the out-of-pocket cost: if four new snow tires is just too much money, get four used snow tires. As long as they have a deep enough tread to do their job. That's far better than "all season" tires.
New or used, buy four steel rims from a junkyard and put the snows on them. That's less mounting/dismounting expense for you, and also less abuse on all the tires due to mounting/dismounting.
And I wouldn't even think of adding studs to anything but snow tires.
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Sven: '89 245 NA, 951 ECU, open-front airbox, E-fan, 205/65-15's, IPD sways, E-Codes, amber front corner reflectors. Wifemobile '89 245 NA stock. 90 244 NA spare, runs.
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