My first combo before I found Bass Resource was a Quantum Accurist I got in clearance and an AllStar original rod. Paid $74 for the combo and it served me well till I joined this site and got addicted.

Shimano Sedona w/ a daiwa Laguna.

At $95 you can't beat it!

My best $100 combo was the Ugly Stick and BPS Tourney Special that got me into bait casting again.  I tried BCs about 20 years ago but wasn't patient enough to really learn it and shelved the idea.  The aforementioned setup turned out to be my training wheels that, with a lot of help from this forum, has lead to keeping the economy very strong in the way of 10 new setups (hopefully not many more this winter!), 3 kayaks, and all the 'needed' accessories.

 

Besides spending a boat load of money....  That $100 setup 'made' me (re)learn how to fish, resulting in becoming a better at it.

 

I gave that first setup to my friend's 1st year apprentice - a 22 YO kid who loves to fish and is saving for a house.  He deserves it.

 

Bought these new- paid $24 for a St Croix Premier 6'6" MH/F rod and $75 for a Pfl Supreme XT making a good spinning combo.

Pflueger president and tec spec elite. With discounts it was right around 100. Great combo that had done me well on the reservoirs

Spinning: Berkley Lightning Rod Shock, Shimano Sienne

Casting: Berkley Lightning Rod, Shimano Cauis 

The closest I can get is $110.  I have a Cabela's Tournament ZX combo that is made up of the 2013 model reel (Rapala Shift) and the 6'9" M/F Tournament ZX rod.  I paid $40 for the reel and $70 for the rod.  I caught more than (40) 2-3lb smallies on this rig in Sept.  It is capable but the reel gets a little "geary" under load.  If one can get past that it's ok.  Whats cool is it's extremely light and that makes it fun to use.  Love the rod and for the price am likely to buy more....just need to put different reels on them as these are no longer available.  

 

I like this "budget" challenge.  It is fun and sometimes it's downright sobering as it can point out how much money can be so easily tinkled away.