Uhhhhhhhhh wow. I mean, .....hmmm. Wow.

For about ~$100, one can purchase a nice setup that uses a single rechargeable battery, one tailight and one headlight. I run

http://www.amazon.com/MagicShine-Cyc...rds=magicshine

and

http://www.amazon.com/MagicShine-MJ-...ine+tial+light

There are cheaper and more efficient options out there. I know this is quite a bit more expensive than running 23 cheap flashlights in conjunction, but it's a simple setup, easy to take off of the bike, and recharges with a common 110 outlet, and is sealed off from the elements. Lighting is one of those things with cycling where cheaping out isn't really the best way to go; I would have argued the other way a couple of years ago, but after riding with my current setup I have changed my tune. I still think some of the crazy $500+ setups are overkill, but even if you work a min. wage job and live within your means it is not impossible to save the money it takes to get a setup that will compete with modern automotive HIDs.

OP, I would suggest buliding up your budget to run something much more substantial...I understand the need to run cheap. When I started cycling I was a full time college student with a wife and kid. Ebay is your friend, in this instance. Craigslist may also be an option for you. Do you drink beer? Eat out? Pay for cable TV? Smart phone data plan? Take a little out of another budget, and score something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/MagicShine-MJ-...rds=magicshine