Got $500 to spend on lighting, HELP!!!

Well I got close to $500 for Christmas and I'm looking into getting some lighting equipment. As you can see in my signature I have two Canon 430 EX II and a Canon 580 EX II Flash. I also have two light stands a Westcott 48" Shoot through Umbrella and a pair of Ebay triggers. Here is my question... I want to get either some better lighting (Maybe some Alien bees), softboxes or something. Any suggestions would be AWESOME! Super Thanks..

Oh and I like to shoot on-location protraits. Thanks again! And Happy Holidays to Everyone!

ab1600 would be my choice if i were you...
and this...
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …rella_Softlight​er_II.html

Well... if you want to shoot on location you will need a battery... although that alone will cost around $300. I'll leave it top the more experienced members to give you the best advice I guess =)

What are you trying to do on-location that the speedlites and the umbrellas aren't doing?

Will you have the ability to plug in, or do you want to be self sufficient?

I have been playing around with and reading about using 1 and 2 speedlights for portraits. Joe McNally has a video on Kelby Training where he uses (1) speedlite, a tri-grip diffuser, and a gold/silver diffuser and he is getting good results.

diputs wrote in post #9262303
What are you trying to do on-location that the speedlites and the umbrellas aren't doing?

Agree.

The Speed lights and the umbrella is fine, I just thought that a softbox (Even with a speed light inside it) would have a softer light than a umbrella.

I do need to be self sufficient and to be honest... I'm not sure if I want to cough up the $300 for just a battery. I've heard of the tri-grips diffusers and seen the Joe McNally video on them as well... Good stuff. That might actually be the way to go. Any other great ideas? You guys are awesome!

Take a look at the Creative Light line of products

IMO - get http://www.creativelig​ht.com/products

IMO - B&H has good pricing on the CL stuff

CL speedlight speedrings (88 each)
get a 3Ft Octa
softbox

You'll be able to grow into the CL stuff - they have speedrings for all the major brands of lights