You will pay the most for your first FW- then they seem to come out of the wood work for a lot less. Not sure why it happens that way - kind of like finding out you are pregnant after you have adopted a baby.
Hope you find one soon.
The book isn't that big of a deal since they are on the internet for free. My guess is you have threaded the little machine wrong, and you may have the bobbin thread too. Those little details can drive you crazy.