OK, this is from my personal experience and I may be wrong. If you are slightly short on money, than don't buy the costly books or softwares. Most of the books that I have seen are just fillers and they don't teach you anything. I think, if the marketer is trying too hard to sell it(too strong sales pitch) than most likely its a shit product because good products sales for themselves.

I think one book which you can buy is Aaron Wall's SEO BooK. I have Never heard a bad review of it. (I think now Aaron has changed his business model and has started training but still, you can get hold of the book) or else can buy another similar book(I think SEO unleashed is also good). But really, NO need to buy more than one book.

Browse the forums and you will learn the things on your own.

As far as software is concerned, most of them are created to perform automated work like Automated directory submission, article submission, blog/forum spamming which will only get you in trouble. So avoid them and do things manually or outsource the work.