Hi Boxta, and welcome!
A few ideas:
Different beans can give different results for your pour with the same size grind. Try a different blend from your roaster. Perhaps choose two this week, roasted on the same day: grind them on the same setting and notice the differences including the changes in crema and shot volume/time.
Yes, it sounds like the grinder might need an upgrade when you can next afford it
one day... to match your preferences.Keep checking the taste: if it tastes great, thats what its all about really.
Im assuming you know to stop your shot when it blonds? Not just a volumetric check in 30 seconds?

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