Flat panel monitors can be very expensive ranging from $200 all the way up to $1000! If you're like me then $200 is way too much to spend on a computer monitor, much less $1000. OK, so here's what you do. Find a local pawn shop that has some computers for sale. Look for an entire system (computer, monitor, keyboard ect..) for $200 or less. Concern yourself with finding a good flat-panel, don't worry about the condition of the computer. I found a system with a 17in. flat-panel monitor for $200 in my area. The computer itself was about 3 years old, but it was running Windows XP so I was excited. Make sure to have the pawn shop prove that the computer boots and works properly, including the monitor. Check the monitor out carefully and look for any "dead" areas. If all looks good then you're all set! Sometimes if the computer isn't working properly they will actually give you a discount, which is pretty cool. When in doubt, don't buy, find another shop.
   When you get the system home plug in your new flat-panel monitor and enjoy! Take your old monitor along with the computer you just bought and place an ad in the classifieds. There are ALWAYS people looking to buy used computers, especially one with a monitor, keyboard, mouse ect.... Use your own judgment about pricing (depending on the quality and speed of the computer), but its easy just to use the price at which you bought it for. I paid $200 and put it in the paper for $200, or best offer. I sold it for $180! So now I have a 17in. flat-panel monitor that I paid $20 for. Pretty cheap indeed.