Rosethorn, welcome and Merry meet!
When I decided to dedicate and make the Craft part of my life path, my funds and privacy were very limited also. And I'm glad actually, it made me think and explore.
My first wand was a gnarled piece of an oak branch that somehow kept showing up in the back yard. My altar cloth is hand-embroidered by my grandmother years and years ago for a small table, my representation of the Lord is a pine cone, the Lady, a fresh rose. I use a conch shell I found on the beach for my cauldron and refill it with fresh sand from time to time, when needed. I think its not so much about having all the 'pc' things the books tell you (Although I agree w/ froggie that all the goodies are wonderful and fun) it's about what speaks to you, what hits you in your gut as 'right' for your personal sacred space.
As far as communing outside, my back yard isn't all that private either and honestly most of my rituals, mediation is done inside in a room I've set up specifically aside for that, but when I do feel the need to be outdoors I just do it.
I remember one morning, it was close to noon and I had finished grinding up a huge bunch of herbs I had hanging to dry and had a bunch of the stalks and stuff left over. Well, I trotted out into my front yard and was putting them next to a majestic live oak and my neighbor chose that exact moment to walk over and borrow a drill from my other half. He looked at me, I looked at him and that was the end of it. People choose to see what they do. Do what you need to but be aware, you'll find the balance.
