Looking for the best/easiest way to produce renewable energy for small appliances and lighting on low budget?

ive been looking for ways to produce my own energy and so far most methods seem very complex - being creating solar panels to wind turbines. the best way i've seen so far, for me personally, is the bike power generating method. at the moment this method seems a little to expensive but may be something i look to in the near future. i dont mind doing the work though, im not looking for a maintenance free method....just something that gets the job done. if possible i'd really like to be able to store the energy in batteries. so basically im looking to power 3 small lamps, a guitar amp, and perhaps an xbox or television if possible. if any other info is needed feel free to email me or i will add the info to the question.
thanks

I know that geothermal energy is the type of thing that a lot of people are shy about, but perhaps you can look into that? It may be expensive to start up (I think it's around $700-1200) but it will provide you with a much longer payback with that inital investment - heat, electricity and water, if you happen to hit a hot aquifer (usually only in parts of MT, ID, WY and sometimes SD).

I know it's not super cheap, but it really does pay back in the long scheme of things.

you can make your own solar hot water heater very cheaply. loads of diy types in germany have done it.

here's a forum with loads of diy buffs talking about all sorts of energy projects;
http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newf...

during the winter i put a filter on my dryer vent hose and help warm my house when i am drying my clothes

I think I'd try for thin-film solar voltaics. Batteries will be a necessity in any case. And that probably means adding an inverter. If you want to do the bike power thing, just mount it in a wooden frame and drive a standard car alternator with it.