I had a few bits of wire from various places. Mostly speaker wire. I've wired more automotive circuits back in the day with speaker wire than I'd like to admit.
Since I've re-kindled an interest in hobby electronics (rather than soldering to keep a car or bike running), and I have more disposable income, life has improved somewhat. Below, a soldering tip cleaner that uses brass shavings to remove burned up flux and oxidized solder. A can of paste flux, a good set of wire cutters/strippers, and a bag of spare brass shavings.
They are like little shiny brass springs... cool!
Also this guy, a thermostatically controlled soldering station, with a solder reflow air nozzle for surface mount devices (SMDs)
