> However, I understand that not everyone can afford to keep buying good masks
As a tip for fellow price-constrained folks out there: upgrading to an elastomeric respirator can help substantially with costs. Dentec's marketing copy suggests about a 90% reduction in costs compared to using disposable respirators [0]; given a pack of 50 duckbills on projectn95 [1] is roughly the same price as a new elastomeric w/ filters [2], seems to check out.
As an added benefit, going in on an elastomeric can help a bit with both mask fit and comfort.