My frugality had made me found cheaper options than Hetzner (at the cost of my sanity /jk)
But, hetzner was a really solid deal especially for larger specs, literally nothing could compete with it as I used to make literal lists of providers in my head that can compete against Hetzner/ovhcloud and there were none. They were so good, too good in fact and I had actually felt like they were so giant that they would be able to survive the ramflation and it would be the small shops who would be hurt the most but turns out that although yes small shops are hurt, even the largest of giants like Hetzner couldn't resist the Ramflation and were (forced?) for price increase whereas incredibly I have found small shops to still somehow be more resistant/competitive than the larger beasts.
Pardon me if I am wrong, which I usually am, but aren't there price differences between pre-existing customers and new customers as well, atleast if I am remembering it correctly.
@AussieWog93's comments also make sense in terms of somethings going up by 3x. There seems to be a general consensus online from my limited understanding that some if not many products have increased their prices quite substantially.
mind sharing what you found in your search losing your sanity? :D
there's a few like https://lowendtalk.com https://serversearcher.com
This is a goldmine for cheap deals
https://lowendtalk.com
Also: https://lowendbox.com/
https://contabo.com/en/ Has been good for my mess around and hobby stuff
Contabo does have some steal factor involved, unfortunately and their support times aren't great though many people have quite differing and polarizing experience about them or so I have heard as I haven't really tried them personally.
But its good that contabo is able to be working for ya, They are quite price competitive and the issue with them as said prior really isn't their price so much as though all the other things.
So I am happy for you that it works out for you in the end! :-D
I have tried to discuss all of it in an other comment that I have written: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48658046 and https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48664139
Hope it is able to be of help and it helps ya, take care!