If you don't have the $20 for a new snake, how would you feed one? What's the heat source other than the lamp? How often did you feed it?
A python moving around a lot is not a good sign, although they are more active at night. Have you seen the stickys here with the info on the temp/humidity/set-ups?
I hope you can eventually get another python. But if you are a beginner keeper, you might want to stay away from "cheap" babys. Those are normally imported hatchlings that haven't yet fed. So you start out with a stressed baby that may or may not have been exposed to parasites.
Are there any local reptile shows you can attend? That's a great way to meet other reptile folks.