Will work for tools

Like a lot of home improvement newbies, I have gigantic gaps in my tool collection. For example, I own two saws: a chop saw and a jigsaw. The former was, for two years, the only saw I owned, having been bought to cut baseboards in late 2007. The latter was a Christmas gift that I've used once with so-so results.

It seems like every project I tackle requires that I either a) buy a new tool, b) borrow the necessary tool or c) make due with the tools I have. Reminiscent of advice given to students prepping for the SAT, C is more often than not the answer I choose.

So I'm left to wonder: if I can do this well with the bare bones, what could I accomplish with the right tools? And what are the basics I should have in my arsenal?

Of MSN's 15 tools every homeowner should own, I own exactly seven. A more exhaustive list is Popular Mechanics Top 50 Important Tools (With Tips!). After seeing only four familiar faces in the first ten, I gave up counting.

Until I'm independently wealthy, I'll just have to approach my tools like I would any collection: build slowly, keeping the end in sight.