$1000 shopping spree

[tedforse]

I purchased a Nikon D5000 and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens this month. This is my first DSLR I have no idea where to start with buying the extras and that's where you come in. I know that most of you have probably gotten lots of lenses and accessories over the years so my question is... If you had to start over again, what would you purchase? If I gave you $1000, what would you buy me first? What could you not live without? What equipment has made the biggest difference in your photography?

Get shopping! Links to products appreciated!

[firebox40dash5]

-Spare battery (~$40)
-ML-L3 remote ($15)
-A good circular polarizing filter ($100-400) I like Hoya's better filters, like the Pro1D or HD, myself.

Other suggestions would be a good tripod, or another lens. But you should find out WHAT kind of lens you want/need first. If you find yourself always shooting at 55mm and wanting more reach, a telephoto (like the 55-200mm VR or 70-300mm VR). If you're always shooting at 18mm and wanting more FOV, get a wide angle. Then there's a macro lens, or a fast prime. Well, maybe add the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 AF-S ($200) to the first list- it's hard to go wrong with that one.

Edit: I wouldn't recommend buying filters (except a UV or protective that you'd just keep on the lens) in 52mm. C-POL and ND filters are expensive, and not many lenses take such small filters... 67mm filters and an adapter ring would be a safe start.

There's also upgrading the kit lens... the 18-70mm, 18-105mm VR, 16-85mm VR, and 18-200mm VR are all decent choices. My 18-55mm kit lens lasted less than a week, I traded it on an 18-105mm VR kit lens the first trip to the camera store after I bought the camera, but YMMV. The small range and having to switch the lens to M to manually focus drove me crazy quickly.

[OsmosisStudios]

I'd say get 77mm filters and step-up rings. There are a few DX lenses now with 77mm filter diameters and all the pro ones use that or larger. Just saves the trouble.