What is a cheap, easy way to cut holes in the tote lids without spending $45 on a hole saw that I’ll never use again? Or alternatively, fabricating a new cover? Sturdy, inexpensive, and easy are mandatory, because I’m what you might call mechanically disinclined. 
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$7 soldering iron will melt through and leave smooth edges 
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Thanks!
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Dremel or something
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He is trying to not buy the tools, thought he might have a soldering iron.
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Yeah idk why I figured he might have a Dremel around lol
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I used a small drill bit on my cordless drill (you can use a corded one if that is all you have) to drill several holes around the marked circle. Then I used a jigsaw blade to cut and connect between the holes. Even if you don’t have the jigsaw itself, the blades are super cheap (<$2 each) at Harbor Freight or anywhere else, and then clamp the blade between a pair of vice grips or pliers to hold the blade while sawing with it. Done it myself. It’s not a great solution but it works and sometimes that is all you need. Hope that helps. Good luck
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Much obliged.
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Get a ‘compass’ hole cutter, should be able to find one for around $10. Check to make sure it’ll adjust to the radius you need.
Also even if you just use a razor blade free-hand, you should be able to ‘score & snap’, instead of having to cut all the way through. You might have to cut through all the way at one point for 1/2" - 1" to start, then just bend & tear the rest of it by hand & it’ll follow the score cleanly if it’s deep enough. That’s what I did on my 5-gal lids.
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