So what's my option if I don't buy 1001 Thnigs...? I'd like to provide something more polished than I cen deliver right now, but the choices seem to be limited. Any further ideas?

You can check out the files section here. There are some numeric text box classes but they are not, IMHO, as powerful as the one I wrote for the book.

Personally, I think that if you are not willing to spend $50 for a book that may save you man months of developer time, it is a little penny wise and pound foolish on your part < s >.