how do you go about making a theme team on a budget?
You choose a TT, and find a good amount of budget players (term may very for some; I consider budget under 100k or under 80k per player but I have no clue what your budget is) that get that team’s Team Chem, and there ya go. If you can’t fill out the entire team right away, start off with core positions like QB, HB, WR, FS/SS, CB, etc. Over timer as you accumulate more coins you will be able to improve your Theme Team.
BTW, completing BHM challenges gives you free 93-94 OVR players that get any Team Chem! Other challenges might give you some helpful rewards as well.