If you don't have the money for a Johnson or Herpstat right now, save yourself some grief and get a ZooMed ReptiTemp 500R until you have the funds for the better ones. Dimmers are a major headache! The ReptiTemp costs $20-30 and works just fine once you have it dialed in properly.

Flexwatt is cheaper, but you NEED a thermostat with it since it can get hotter than UTHs.

I tried Zilla, Flukers, Acurite and ZooMed thermometers, and I can say now that Acurite RULES! I much prefer having one (or two) in my enclosures.

As for natural looking hides, you could go with the Zilla Rock Den or the ExoTerra Reptile cave. But, as was said, making your own out of plant pots or plastic bowls is much cheaper.