How Do You Build an Organic-Looking Instagram Presence Without Breaking the Bank?

I’ve been trying to grow my Instagram account for months now—posting consistently, using relevant hashtags, even collaborating a bit—but the growth is so slow it’s honestly discouraging. I’m not looking to go viral or anything, I just want a decent base to make the page look active and credible. Is there any smart way to give it a gentle push without blowing a ton of money or ruining engagement quality?