Friends cover a large range, from people who would make large sacrifices for you to those who will say hello even if its a bit forced.  Friends happen with some common interest so you can start with people you work with and expand as you meet people.

You can begin by just asking some of the people at work if they would like to stop for a drink after work one day, or go to lunch. You dont have to pay for them, just suggest a cheap place to eat or get a coffee. 

I have a lot of 'friends' at various graphic sites and I dont talk to most of them, nor do they talk to me.  No one on my friends list at Artzone sent me money on my birthday for instance.