What should I buy for my home gym?

I started successfully with a $100 bench, a $10 jump-rope, and a set of $50 adjustable dumbbells. Then, I moved to a more comprehensive system – I bought a full set of hex dumbbells (I got these instead of the quick-change type because I sometimes drop them) and a system from:

http://www.parabody.com/

(I got the smith/pull-down combination with the snake hooks for self-spotting.)

I also got a dip station, not to do leg raises but actual dips and pull-ups.

Whole body vibration machines have recently come into vogue - but you should be very wary about these tools without doing a lot of research.