Grooming on a budget at home

I have been grooming my Shih Tzu, Mitze, at home for the past few years. The budget just doesn't have enough in it to have regular groomer visits. The vet has showed me how to care for her ears and nails but I usually just use clippers on all but here head and tail. I have started to let it grow out so we can go for a different look but she has the wavy hair not fluffy. Right now she looks bad but as much as I bath and brush her she never looks like a 'Shih Tzu'. What can I do different?