Put the battery in the hatch, and switch to aluminum heads. That's the best method, but it's costly, and you want cheap.
Get a coilover setup for the rear (which i don't recommend if it's a DD.)
Or buy a set of lowering springs, i think h&r may sell sets of springs seperately.
Also could get some weight jacker style control arms.
I don't think cutting the stock springs is a great idea. I know from experience how loose 4 banger fronts ride, and i can only begin to image how poor the car would handle with cut rears along with them.