This sounds like an exciting time for you Emma H! When I was starting out, I had less than no money, my parents had to help me buy a house and I too don't have my own kids. So everything was new. I spent several months that spring going to yard sales. As long as the toys are clean, and in good shape, there is nothing wrong with used. Are you on Kijiji? That could work too.

I also got a lot, a lot of stuff from dc parents and neighbors. (One neighbor let me take 1/2 her garage filled with stuff. Sooo cool.) As I got more finacially stable I have been slowly replacing and adding to my collection with newer and fancier. I too love to shop but try to keep it in check because I am on my own.

I have also found, that at any one time, the kids don't need to have that many toys out and available. If you start out slowly, you may find all of a sudden, you have enough.

And if I may go off on a tangent for a moment... haven't thought of this in years but just remembered. In my first few months open, a dcm gave me a 3 or 4 big garbage bags of stuffed animals and a kid's activity desk. The desk was wired with a light but the wires were broken and sticking out at the back. I don't remember how exactly now, but I do remember that it was dangerous, I thought. So I pulled all of the wires and the light part out. So then, maybe a month later, dcm comes in one day and asks to have the desk back.... okay, sure, but it's not quite the same anymore! Sigh.

Oh and one last thing, if you are looking for books, Scholastic (the school book orders) they do daycares too. When I called, the lady I spoke to didn't know what home daycare was.... but I finally got her to understand. The parents order books and you can too and the order earns you money to buy more books. Good luck and have fun!!