Help me spend my Gold

[Helaman]

New game - 5th level character - two weapon fighter (paired short swords with weapon focus). Will need to be light armour to maintain my movement. I will likely level up at some point - will get two weapon defense I think as my AC sucks. No need to share the build its far from optimised. Am a ranger so can use scrolls, wands etc appropriate to the class

I have 10k to spend and No one single purchase can exceed 3k (which rules out mithril medium armours)

I was thinking pair of short swords +1, Mistmail (+1 chainshirt)... this chews me down to about 2800 gold remaining after I pick up a set of masterwork boots (stealth).

Suggestions? If you want to change the buy I am happy to listen... have considered only getting one short sword but magic items will be in very short supply - this may be my one chance to get such. Something that gives +1 dex on the cards?

[Velcro Zipper]

Whenever I get stuck for what to purchase, I default to chickens. 10KGP puts you at 500,000 chickens so, if I were you, I'd invest heavily in Handle Animal (maybe Profession: Cook too in case you get hungry) and teach each of those chickens the Attack trick. Even if the chickens only peck for 1 point of damage, that's still a potential 500,000 points of damage as long as you haven't eaten any of them.

[Nicos]

I sugest dodge instead of two weapon defense (bonus to ac, cmd and touch ac).

and 1k or a cloak of resistace is always a good choise.

[Helaman]

Wand of cats grace? That should be 90gp a charge, right?

[Sylvanite]

Handy Haversack is always a good way to spend money.

Pearls of Power for buffs from a group caster may help, or for more spells of your own. Specifically, you should be able to cast Lead Blades at this point if you've gone all Ranger. Pearls of Power for first level spells are 1k. That's an alright boost to damage and may be worth picking up a couple Pearls if you think you have time to buff for fights fairly often.

Wand of Cure Light Wounds is always a good use of 750gp (especially if your AC sucks).

If you can buy wands at reduced charges, then it might be ok to get wands of some 2nd level buff spells, but otherwise those are really expensive.

[Helaman]

may not be a bad option - I got about 1100 to spend if I dont get a partially charged wand.

[Deadmanwalking]

I'd definitely grab a Cloak of Resistance +1, Fighters need their save-enhancers.

A non-magical Masterwork Composite Longbow is always a good backup weapon to have, too.

If AC is a worry, finding the extra cash for an Amulet of Natural Armor or Ring of Protection might be worth it.