My solution...
Being in the foothills of the Carolina's, orange (clay) stained everything is daily life, We have been on our current property for 2 years and I have tested a variety of the different techniques listed. The best solution by far that would seem to meet your criteria is a layered woodchip/leaf system.
Cost = $ 0.00 (I contact local tree services and they are happy to drop their chips on my farm) (The town is also happy to drop their leaves at the farm when they do the town pick up 2x's a year)
Time = Very little since I use a tractor to flatten layers.
Start with a 12 inch layer of woodchips then a 6 inch (pre-compressed layer of leaves)
If you have chickens, ruminants or pigs throw their manure on top of the leaf layer before the chips.
Repeat 3xs making sure that the top layer is woodchips... Leaves fly all over the place when it gets windy (trust me I made this stupid mistake)
Leave it alone for 6 months.
Depending on your environment you may need to wet the layers once a month. Since we live in the land of rain we are fortunate to not have to.
After 6 months if your environment/climate is like mine you will have black compost and worms everywhere.
