So, why is mascarpone so hard to find (or so expensive) sometimes? Well, it's a high-end cheese that's made from cream, and it can be a bit pricey. But, don't let that stop you from making tiramisu - there are plenty of other options out there that can give you a similar taste and texture.
For example, you can use Ricotta cheese as a substitute, and mix it with some heavy cream and vanilla extract to get that creamy, sweet flavor. Or, you can try using cottage cheese with some lemon juice and honey to balance out the flavor.