Nikon D40 camera lens?

I have had a Nikon D40 with the kit lens for a while now. I'm actually tired of the lens, and it gets frustrating on focusing. I'm not even sure if I'm using it right:/ I mean, I just put it on a setting and take a picture. I'm still trying to figure everything out since this is my first SLR. So I have a few questions:

1. What kind of lens do you recommend? I want a easy-to-use one, and I don't care if it's long range or not. I don't have that much money, so I can't spend like $300 on a camera lens, lmfao.
2.Is there a Nikon D40 tutorial some where? I can't seem to find one and I would love to know how to use my camera better.

Thanks! :]

Added (1). Thanks for the great answers! I have a flickr (). Those are old photos, when I first got my camera- lmfao, so they're pretty bad. But thanks again! :]

There's nothing really wrong with the 81-55.It's about as easy to use as they come.

Order this: http://www.bythom.com/d40guide.htm

The 18-55mm kit lens is an easy to use lens, that's why they sell it with the camera. It should autofocus ok, provided you're not too close to the subject. It's a pretty decent all round lens.

What is it you're not happy about with the images - is it focus? Exposure? If you have your photos online at Flickr or somewhere it would be helpful to post a couple of examples to see if there's a specific issue we could help with.

You should be able to download the D40 manual, which will tell you how to set the controls on your model, but any photography tutorial will tell you about the basics of exposure.

A good book for beginners is Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/...817439390/

better to spend your money on that than waste it on a new lens you don't need.

I have the D40 as well, and I used this book to start me off. I also took an SLR photography course and developed my own film
http://www.amazon.com/...0470171480

it goes in depth and is easy to understand