The biggest problem for me was the cage/tank/aquarium. I started mine out in a 50 gallon fish tank that was about $300 but he grew out of that within a year. I then modified a parrot cage to have levels with was about $200 (but this was a bitch to clean, just stick with glass tanks) and this lasted about 2 years before I just got sick of it. I now keep him in a large 5ft by 7 ft tank that I put wheel on to move him from the porch in the summer to the living room in the winter, this was about $500 because I built it from scratch.

Yeah, of course the big expensive ones. I get you, though. I was the same way. Just be sure to plan everything out before actually getting one.

Have you thought about looking on Craigslist or asking around at pet stores near you if there's an owner trying to give their iguana away? They'll usually give them away and their equipment for dirt cheap.

The biggest problem for me was the cage/tank/aquarium. I started mine out in a 50 gallon fish tank that was about $300 but he grew out of that within a year. I then modified a parrot cage to have levels with was about $200 (but this was a bitch to clean, just stick with glass tanks) and this lasted about 2 years before I just got sick of it. I now keep him in a large 5ft by 7 ft tank that I put wheel on to move him from the porch in the summer to the living room in the winter, this was about $500 because I built it from scratch.

If it's just a lizard you want to keep as a pet, how about an Anole? I used to have a couple and they're just about the same as a baby iguana but they don't need as much space and they don't get any bigger than 8 inches.

Yeah, of course the big expensive ones. I get you, though. I was the same way. Just be sure to plan everything out before actually getting one.

Have you thought about looking on Craigslist or asking around at pet stores near you if there's an owner trying to give their iguana away? They'll usually give them away and their equipment for dirt cheap.

The biggest problem for me was the cage/tank/aquarium. I started mine out in a 50 gallon fish tank that was about $300 but he grew out of that within a year. I then modified a parrot cage to have levels with was about $200 (but this was a bitch to clean, just stick with glass tanks) and this lasted about 2 years before I just got sick of it. I now keep him in a large 5ft by 7 ft tank that I put wheel on to move him from the porch in the summer to the living room in the winter, this was about $500 because I built it from scratch.

I don't know how much research you've done on them yet, but here are some of the links I looked into before getting mine.
www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/Green-Iguana/
www.triciaswaterdragon.com/igcare.htm
www.drexotic.com/care-and-feeding-of-iguanas/
The most important thing I could say to a first time iguana owner it would be this, be sure you're willing to put in the time and effort it takes to keep one of these animals alive and happy. I'm sure you've already thought about it, but just make sure this is something you really want because they live for a long time and they aren't as lovable as dogs so it's not as though you feel like you're getting a return of investment.
Yes, money is very important especially when you first start out. Aquariums, housing, electricity, food, medicines all needs to be bought before getting the actual pet. You need to plan everything out so as to be ready for it's arrival.
Yes, they are expensive to keep. Upgrading aquariums and medicine as they age are the most important thing, but the thing I wish someone had told me about is how much the electric bill will end up because of them. They need a constant source of heat, so I had to keep the heat rock plugged in 24/7.
No, music doesn't bother them but yes, smoking does. Just don't smoke in the same room as them and it should be fine.

If it's just a lizard you want to keep as a pet, how about an Anole? I used to have a couple and they're just about the same as a baby iguana but they don't need as much space and they don't get any bigger than 8 inches.

Yeah, of course the big expensive ones. I get you, though. I was the same way. Just be sure to plan everything out before actually getting one.

Have you thought about looking on Craigslist or asking around at pet stores near you if there's an owner trying to give their iguana away? They'll usually give them away and their equipment for dirt cheap.

The biggest problem for me was the cage/tank/aquarium. I started mine out in a 50 gallon fish tank that was about $300 but he grew out of that within a year. I then modified a parrot cage to have levels with was about $200 (but this was a bitch to clean, just stick with glass tanks) and this lasted about 2 years before I just got sick of it. I now keep him in a large 5ft by 7 ft tank that I put wheel on to move him from the porch in the summer to the living room in the winter, this was about $500 because I built it from scratch.