I just went through all of Radio Shack's clearance items on their website and came across a couple of great deals for noobs.
The Make: Electronics Components
Pack 1 and
Pack 2 are on clearance for $17.98 each. They're regularly $99. This is an in-store, while-supplies-last offer so get them while you can.
It looks like they contain a pretty good assortment of components. They are made to go with the Make: Electronics book but they contain pretty generic stuff that are always handy to have around.
The second pack has (among other things) 10 555 timers. Noobs love the 555 timer IC.
Edit: I talked to the sales person at one of my local Radio Shacks and neither of these kits were available at any of the stores in the sales district so they may not be very easy to find.