Come on, your a Squid, Scrounge like one..... lol
Watch for RC swap meets in your local area, find a couple clubs to go and hang out. Keep watching on Craigslist. The whole FT thing is really pretty cheap if you follow their plans, the kits from Lazer Toys are pretty affordable and Cheap radios are ALL over the place including the Orange series. With the new Spektrum DX6i coming out shortly, lots of folks are going to want to unload their old ones and LHS's are gonna get aggressive to unload thier stock.
This hobby can be anything you want, I was stunned and amazed at FliteFest when somebody was flying an inflatable Pool Toy and doing pretty dang well with it. It was awesome to watch. They had a few servos and foam control surfaces added to it and built a small motor mount and ESC holder and away they went. I did not get to see what sized battery they had, but I have to admit it flew better than my first FT Flyer.... (course my build skills needed serious improving).
As another member of "Uncle Sams Canoe Club", I welcome you to the hobby shipmate.