Some ideas for low-cost furniture and such. Some of these projects have better instructions than others, but all are easy builds.
http://diycraftyprojects.com/2012/03/70-pallet-craft-projects-collection-2.html (http://diycraftyprojects.com/2012/03/70-pallet-craft-projects-collection-2.html)
A little later... I got lost in all kinds of interesting projects in the links and blogs.
Here is a new use for paper bags - as a flooring material - http://diycraftyprojects.com/2011/11/paper-bag-floor.html (http://diycraftyprojects.com/2011/11/paper-bag-floor.html)