OMG, I am cheap, but not this cheap. Heck for $5 of stuff at Harbor Freight you can get a cheezy voltmeter for free (with coupon).
Anyways, the author for $4 in parts uses a dollar store step counter to make a simple and low power volt meter.
http://paulorenato.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87&Itemid=2