Hate to point out the obvious but E-Bay! Anything that you want and can pick and choose quality, price and it has an everchanging stock of items.

I commend you on your thought process. Better to have something then nothing. You can also hit pawn shops for a whole HOOP of stuff at lower the new prices. Garage sales are another place. Military surplus stores, Craigs list, neighbors, the list goes on and on. Used does not mean un-usable. Creativity goes a long way.

One of the most useful things to get that is ussually free and you will never find at a store is knowledge and a plan. Good luck to ya.