This is has to be one of the greatest questions that aspiring magicians have to face well this is one such problem that I've faced myself. Being an aspiring magician myself I have come to face the facts that learning magic is not cheap. Some of the great resources I've found or the Internet, as well as the local library. Most local libraries will contain books on easy magic tricks to start. But if you really want to start amazing people you have to break down and buy a course or a set of tricks(warning: do not show your tricks them tell you have completely perfected if you will not have the same impact.) There are several different places you could look to find a set of magic tricks. I recommend finding several DVDs on the basics such as coin magic and card magic. These are the building blocks of all great magicians. But personally I would recommend starting with cards seeing that it's easiest to learn a couple of slights using a deck cards for one very large reason. You don't have to worry about the cards "talking" now "talking" is referring to coins accidentally clinking together. They can be very noisy to work with, and if you are not experienced such talking can ruin an effect. If you're looking for books or magic supplies. I would recommend to you Ellusionists.com or penguinmagic.com they have some wonderful videos to teach even the most green of newbies. Also, if you're looking for a good book on coin magic. (Maybe cards are not your thing.) And you really want to try the much more difficult coin magic. Then the book I would recommend to you is J.J. Bobos modern coin magic this is an excellent book that has often been called coin Magic Bible. Oh almost forgot. There is of course the classic way of learning magic, which is finding a master to teach you. This is great because you get the personal interaction and hands-on teaching and criticism that comes from a teacher, though I have not had the pleasure due to the fact that I am in an outlying area to actually learn from a master it is quite possible to find one to teach you. Usually you have to show yourself worthy to be able to do so though. So to close I have to say that learning magic has changed my life and brought new confidence in myself, and once you are bitten by the magic bug. It's something that you will find increasing joy in and will have lots of fun in amazing your friends and family with it.