Hit yard sales, craigslist and Facebook marketplace and pennies on the dollar.
One of the best deals on resale equipment can be found NordicTrack ski machines. Easy on the knees and works arms too.

I would seriously look at a second hand option. I did pick up an exercise bike at Aldi in January for about $90 and use it every morning for 20 miles while I surf the net or play games on the iPad.

machines as an option. As mentioned below I got an exercise bike at Aldi in January for about $90.00.

starting off at many inches off the ground, I couldn't fit in my basement ceiling height)

AND whether you like the feeling. I always feel a bit sea sick with the up and down motion. Maybe try awhile at a sports store or gym first.

I ended up with a simple strider device made popular by Tony Little called the gazelle sprint master. (You can actually see him on it in the goofy National Car rental ads currently) It works most muscles, is aerobic, silent, and folds away to free up space when needed. Also it does not stress the knees at all like ellipticals, or bikes. THey show up on craigslist occasionally for under $50.

Good luck.

CR recommended when we bought it. Got to find a new home for it soon. If you were in the Seattle area could make you a sweet offer.

I had no idea that Aldi sold exercise machines - and thanks for the schwinn recommendation, BBG!

We’re about to move and needed to unload, er share with someone.

but I live in NYC!