avoiding using relays??

Relays good. Car fires bad.

Money's an issue? Spend $2, go to the pick-a-part near you, fill your box (and your toolbox, natch) with all the relays and fuses you can fit. Buy a late-model fuse/relay block while you're there.

The price of high-load switches, heavy-gauge wires, and constantly refilling fire extinguishers will far outweigh the cost of using a fat stack 'o relays in your fancy-pants late-model relay block. On top of that, adding stuff later....cinch.