decisions decisions

Ok, so I've wanted a slr camera for a really long time now and I think that since I've got to start a portfolio if I want to take photography as an A level, I guess that I should get one eventually but I also have a completely broken phone and I need anew one. Then I was thinking that since I'm going away this sumemr, all on my lonesome, I could get an ipod touch and then keep in touch with my friends and family really easily with twitter, e-mail and facebook and also, I kinda need a new ipod so I would totally be killing two brids with one stone. Only I'm not rich in the slightest so I need to decide: camera, phone or Ipod? Well, I guess I can deal witha  broken phone so really I have to choose between a camera or ipod. If I' gonna go with the camera, I think that I'll get either a Nikon D40 or a canon 450d. Which would you say is better? and thats if I even get a camera. Help! Camera or Ipod? I think it's time to bring out the pro and con lists...