If you are starting seeds inside to transplant later, there are three things you need to know:
Use a good seed starting mix.
This is different then a potting soil. Notice the difference in the two products below. One is a seed starting mix (R) and one is a potting soil (L) from the same company.
Seed starting mix is a finer and more consistent texture, which is helpful for small seeds. It also has less fertilizer added and is lower in salts. Remember, salts are just plant nutrients dissolved in water, but seeds and seedlings are very sensitive to salts. You can read more about saline soils here.
Notice the potting soil (top) has about 3 times the nutrient value of the seed starting mix (bottom).
Keep the seeds warm and give them plenty of light.
I have a basement office with plenty of light from a big window but the floor is cold. I need a heating mat to start seeds effectively. For example, pepper seeds need to be kept at 75-85 F to germinate.
If your seedlings are not growing like you think they should, and you have ruled out the seed staring mix, and seed quality, and temperature, consider that it may be a lack of light.
Use what you have around
Seeds don't care what you grow them in as long as they have the right balance of food, water, air, and light. Use what you have around the house and save your money for something else.
Newspaper is a great option for making your own free pots for staring seeds. You can use an aluminum can, or a special tool, to make round ones, or some origami skills to make square ones.
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