Even bad beans can be improved a little with a bad grinder. The better the bean, the more of a difference keeping the bean intact and grinding it just before use will make. Due to not wanting to use the fancy expensive coffee every day, you'll be trying to make it last, as a whole bean it WILL last, and it'll be better coffee after 3 months then it would be if you ground it when you got it.
Lets talk grinder though.
A cheep little spice mill will work, it'll be too hot, you'll burn the coffee just a little, but it's a start. To go fancier you'd want something specialised for coffee that won't get too hot, but honestly that's further then most people want to go.
Once you go this far though, it's time to stop using paper filters. Gold plated metal mesh filters.
If you have the time, don't use a coffee machine either, french press at the least. Pourover if you really can't get your hands on one.
Each thing you improve, coffee will become that small bit better. You might not be able to notice, but pour a mug for somebody who dosen't take all the steps, and they will. Make a cycle of small improvements, and then go around again and get something fancier.
Here's a less pretentious take: try different kinds and make what you like. French press vs filtered (and even within paper vs metal filtered pourover) will change the mouth feel and flavor. People have different preferences and that's fine. French press isn't inherently better than paper filtered.
---
Take me for what I am -- who I was meant to be. And if you give a damn, take me baby, or leave me.