I don't think I have ever paid for wood except logs for the fire and I even use that. You'll be surprised what turns up when you ask about and what people have in there sheds and downed trees or throwing out cupboard wardrobes, tables and my favourite kitchen work tops in solid wood etc.
I'm like stig of the dump! but I have bought a sheet of 1/4 birch ply once until I found a company throwing out birch ply large boxes to take apart. The bandsaw is very versatile for cutting logs. Roly
It was filled with glitter glue from hobbycraft and sprayed with siver glitter paint from same place and here's the job in use Merry Chrismas Marg cheers. Roly