I earned my PPL for half-price, admittedly quite a while ago now. I started in 1999 and took 2.5 years. I cleaned aeroplanes at the club and was paid in flying time, and I did other duties around the airfield that were also paid in flying time. I completed in close to minimum hours and paid only half the amount that a full PPL would be at the time I finished.
I then bought a share in a permit aeroplane so the hourly cost was much lower than renting. I'm still flying now.