Cheap method for Logic Inputs

I've been thinking about ways to get signals into and out of a computer without too much fuss. My soldering skills are average, but when it comes to complicated projects I prefer to buy them pre-made. Trying to locate parts to make some of the interfaces found on the internet is next to impossible living in the UK on a tight budget. This is why I like to use an existing product, and hack it. Not in a bad way, but to extend it functionality. Sometimes it something that is going to be thrown out, and hacking it can give it a second life. Basically this got me thinking about cheap computer peripherals, and which would allow a good selection of inputs. Gamepads! Game pads usually come with at least 10 buttons. They are now have a usb based connection, so are not limited to how many you can have. The insides of a game pad are very simple. Solder wire either side of the button contacts and that is your button press. Hopefully the game pad can have the button presses assigned to key press. The alternate method is using Direct X or other USB HID software. Then you can grab the inputs ( presses ) as they happen programmically. All this gamepad that costs less than a tenner. What I need now is a cheap way to get lots of outputs