Hi, I've been studying for a few months and have a few resources.
Best book is the Cisco CCNA Certification Guide by Wendell Odom. I also use the Sybex CCNA study guide to cross reference.
Cisco's Internetworking Technology Handbook also covers alot of topics and is of course free aswell.
Other sites I've checked out:
(very useful, nice videos)
(a personal web site)
(run by someone on this forum, can't remember who)
and the RouterGod guys present a nice light-hearted approach to it aswell.
I borrowed a copy of RouterSIM off a friend and while it kind of gives you a feel of a test lab it isn't very flexible so don't waste your money on that.
I'm not sure whether I will buy any routers myself. I suppose it depends on your reasons for doing the CCNA. If you want to be a network admin then you probably should but at the moment I'm just looking at the CCNA as background knowledge for other areas of IT.
Other than that, just read lots and don't be afraid to ask questions.
"Very funny Scotty, now beam my clothes down aswell".