Help.. College student...needing college budget products

Hi... I am a graduate student and I have recently went back natural in 2008!! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] .. I was natural for two years.. and then made the mistake going back to having processsed hair. I wore braids for a while until I felt that my hair was a good length. I have fell back in love with my natural hair and its growing out great.. But I feel that I have trouble keeping the moisture in my hair and my edges seem to be extra dry!! On a college budget what products can I afford that keep my hair healthy and happy!!

Here are some older posts with a lot of suggestions:
http://www.curlynikkiforums.com/general-f3/affordable-protein-and-sulfate-free-shampoo-t1531.htm?highlight=affordable

http://www.curlynikkiforums.com/general-f3/affordable-moisturizers-t6.htm?highlight=affordable

Hey there.
- Shea butter is great to seal your ends, and you can also use it on your body.
- Suave Tropical Coconut Condish can be found for less than $5 at most drugstores, this is good as a rinse-out only
- Giovanni also makes great products all under $10 (I use the Smooth as Silk as a detangler, rinse-out conditioner and leave-in)
- Desert Essence also has some well-priced healthy stuff
- Dr. Bronner's Castille Soap doesn't seem like a bargain until you think about the fact that you can use it as shampoo, laundry detergent, face wash, floor and countertop cleaner, etc.
- EcoStyler Gel can be found for less than $5 at most beauty supply stores

Want a cheap alternative to hair puddings and buttercreams for twistouts and braidouts? After you detangle, while your hair is damp, do the follwing section-by-section: Apply a little leave-in conditioner, then rake through some gel, twist or braid, and then seal the ends with shea butter.

Is castile soap drying? I use a facial cleanser from Desert Essence(Thorougly Clean w/tea tree oil) and the first is castile soap or oil and it irritates my skin along with the other natural oils included in this product. I used it for my modified OCM cleanser.

I co-sign with Savvybrown on EcoSyler Gel. I love what it does for my curls and I think it was $2.99 at Sally's for a huge jug (32oz). I was never a gel user until I tried this stuff, now I love it for all my hair styles. Good luck with your grad program! I was a budgeting grad student too. I know what you're going through! lol