Slightly odd question

Gallon of water/milk is about 8lbs - you can curl those, press those, etc

Cans of soup also work for this.

Generally, if you can pick it up, you can use it for lifting

Also, bodyweight exercises are great

If there are thrift or second hand stores, you can try those.

I used to use a phone book, lol. Gallon water bottles are also very good as well. If you have empty ones, you can fill them with sand.

Good luck!

Alright so to start off with I'm on a really REALLY tight budget.
Unfortunately I live in Australia where everything is imported and as such cost about three gazzilion dollars, this includes exercise equipment.
I've been wanting to do weights for a while (I know that sounds weird, but I don't get a lot of strength training in, I was thinking doing reps while reading ect) but the ones I see in sports shops are always really expensive, I saw some in Kmart a while ago but not sure if they're still for sale.
If anyone has any ideas for weight-substitutes that would be awesome.
What I have thought of so far:
Water bottle (when running or something, one in each hand)

Thank you!

you can get hand weights for about 4.40 a kg where i live in aus. thats not that bad. about 20 bucks for a pair of 2kg weights

If you have a long container with a lid (like a dalfour jam jar) you can fill it with sand. That's what the soft weight (from reebok etc) are made from. Even better a plastic jar with a lid. Problem being it needs to be narrow enough to hold. Otherwise if you can sew, then heavy duty plastic tube, covered it a nice material / neoprene.

Tins of baked beans or any canned food that is at least partly liquid are good for starting - here (UK) I think they're about 400g and they're definitely cheap! ) And they're good for you too when you get round to eating them ;o)

After a while though you may have to invest in some small weights as the size to weight ratio will mean you'll want to juggle 3 cans in each hand ;o) I managed to get a set of 3 pairs of weights, 500g, 1kg and 1.5 kg for about £15, maybe put a little bit of cash aside each month so when you're ready for them you can afford them? Even then though, I'm beginning to think I'd like to get some heavier ones (been lifting for 2 months) and they start to go through the roof pricewise as soon as the weight and the bar aren't integrated.

Also, don't be afraid to use your own body weight to strengthen your arms, push ups (I'm still on my knees but I can finally get through 2 sets of reps without stopping) and plank exercises are brilliant and you don't need any equipment, just youtube to give you ideas )

HTH

Also using your furniture - I think you can use chairs to do tricep dips & things like that

You can use books with strap or rope around them for a handle. Vary the stack for difference weights.

I'm not sure if there is a craiglist for AU or not but that is another option.

www.gumtree.com.au I love :-) (I think we have craigs list as well but it's more underground).

Garage sales, Goodwill, Salvation Army. I was looking for a Total Gym & found one on Craig's List for $100! So, just be patient, keep looking & in the meantime use all the things the others suggest (and as your waiting for the deal of the century, keep squirreling money aside, before ya know it, you'll have it covered!) I do agree about resistant bands. If you have a medical store or maybe even an auto parts store, you can find the rubber tubing they use to make them.