Equipment suggestions - bench, bars, and plates

I followed amethyst girl's advice and started lifting a few weeks ago.  I already have a cable machine (no lat bar, but it's great for rows and a few other things and I'm working on figuring out how to adjust it for lat pulldowns), and I picked up a set of adjustable dumbbells.  I'm already feeling stronger. I'm really happy about this and encouraged to do more.  My husband wants to start lifting, too, which is awesome. So I'm considering more equipment.

I want to look for a bench and maybe some barbells.  I'd love to hear what you guys are using - for benches and bars in particular, since I'd assume that a plate is a plate as long as it stays on the bar and weighs what it says it does.  I'm interested in an adjustable bench, if possible.  I've seen bars that are made for curls, and have handholds on them.  What is the advantage?

Lower prices are a huge plus, but I'm looking for decent quality so I'm willing to be a little flexible.  We're both beginners and neither of us intend to be body builders, so please take that into consideration.  I'm open to any suggestions for additional equipment as well.

Thanks!

Check out this blog for some cool ideas.  In particular, I like this article for weight training with only the bare minimum equipment:

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/07/17/no -gym-no-problem-bodyweight-exercises-and-the- nerd-fitness-challenge/

In karozel's squat thread, I linked to the bench that I use, that has upright bars that we use for squats.  We've got an olympic bar and the cap dumbbell set, both from Dick's. Bought extra dumbbell plates (standard size) as we needed them - the 10lb ones are useful for holding on their own, for things like split squats, etc.

bumper plates are wonderful, they are regular plates coated in rubber and you can slam them around without breaking your floor, cracking cement or possibly the plates and they dont rust