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Being low on cash and having chins doesn't really go together unless they came with all supplies. Any suitable cage is going to be $100 minimum and probably require some modifications.
This is a single level ferret nation
http://www.ferret.com/item/ferret-nation-habitat-model-181-single-unit/650428/
Some of the other cages on that site will work with the shelves and ramps replaced. Mainly the other midwest and the prevue cages. You want at least 2x2x3' or equivalent. Petco and Petsmart sometimes have online deals of free shipping with the same cages. I think they sold out of the base level of the ferret nations though. They just have the 2nd and 3rd story add on units. Which technically you can use by itself if you have something to set it on and save a little money. We got a used one with no stand and base level so we just set it on top of a dog crate about the same size.
Most use a single or double level ferret nation. They are the most durable and easy to maintain with minimal need for changes to make it chin safe. There is a plastic floor pan and a plastic shelf pan. Bass equipment sells well priced replacement metal pans or you can wrap the plastic pans in fleece and use that as your bedding. Quality cage company also makes a very wide variety of cages and custom jobs out of finer wire. A lot of breeders use them for the various size options and the small spacing in the wire but they don't hold up to heavier wheels well and aren't really much more cost effective than a ferret nation of the same space. Some multilevel ferret cages can work and start out cheaper but generally need lots of modifications. Mainly removal of all shelves and ramps to be replaced with chin safe wood levels and fleece hammocks. Large aviaries can also be used with less effort since they don't come with anything so all you have to do is put in wood and fleece items for levels. They tend to be narrower with smaller doors though. Unlike the usual purpose of a ferret nation cage you don't want your entire aviary front to open when dealing with birds.
You can do playtime whenever is convenient for you. They do tend to sleep late morning and early afternoon but they usually don't mind being woken up. They are active within a few minutes.
You should not let direct sunlight shine on a cage or it can over heat your chins but sunlight during the day is good. Most animals need a day/night light schedule even if they sleep during most or all of the day.
Feed unlimited plain pellets and hay. As long as your pellets are a good formula and not a mix with a bunch of treat junk in it they will not over eat. Chins only over eat on rich treat type foods.
No problem. Congrats on your new pet. I have a hand raised chinchilla myself and he is wonderfully tame.
It is unwise to leave the dust bath in the cage for several reasons. Chinchillas should not be bathed every day because the dust will leech the lanolin from their fur which is needed to condition their skin. This causes dry skin and cracked skin on their feet which can lead to more serious problems down the road.
Also they use it like a litter box and it gets soiled with urine which is very irritating to their skin and can increase their risk of fungal infection.
Another reason is that some chinchillas if given too much access to dust will loose interest in it and not dust vigorously which is needed for them stay clean and healthy.
I always recommend dusting every other day unless there are health issues you are dealing with such as eye infections or cuts that are healing in which case dusting is not advised until they clear up. If you are having issues with dry skin skip an additional day or two to see if it clears up.
Personally I put the dust bath bin in my bath tub and close the shower stall. I leave him in there for about 10-15 minutes. You don't want to dust much longer than that.
