I've always used a stainless steel colander over a pot of simmering water with an old pot lid on top of it to catch the steam. I'm sure it doesn't work as well as an actual steamer, but it does the trick for me!

Any decent pot and pan collection will come with a steamer. Most shops that sell pan sets should sell stainless steal steamers.

For stuff like asparagus or carrots, i just cook it in a shallow pan with a little water, or sautee it in butter over low heat with the lid on. I find that a steaming rig is really only needed for things thwt cook a long time like artichokes.

Here's a beautiful stainless steel steamer -- it's the one I use, and it's not that expensive.

If you like to steam fish, get a wooden one, doesnt stick so bad, and doesnt conduct heat too much like metal does.

I go by the Alton Brown mindset of "no uni-taskers in the kitchen". I use a stainless steel colander and set it inside a pot. Don't have to spend money on a separate steamer, nor is it another thing to try to fit in my cabinets.

I've got a stainless one. Where I live there are specialist supermarkets catering to Chinese, Koreans and other Asians, and they always stock them. You could also try restaurant supply firms. Or, instead of a steamer that goes inside one of your pots, get one of those two tier pots where the upper tier has a perforated base.

I realise this is heretical for some people, but microwave ovens provide a good alternative to steaming.

I use this. It was like $5 and works fine. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Extendable-Handle-Steamer-Basket/16565399?findingMethod=rr

You don't need to spend much money to get a stainless steel steamer that fits into most pots. Most large grocery stores carry it. It costs about 8 bux or so.

I recently bought this and am really satisfied with it.