Decent flash

You could get a Vivitar 285 HV for a bit under $100, or spend a bit more ($150ish) and get a used 420EX if you want E-TTL.
 
I would honestly save for a few months and get the 430EX..... very well worth it compared to the cheap chinese brands. The ETTL is worth it alone... The Sigma EF-500 is not that bad for the money...
 
Flash on Canon isn't that great to begin with. I would also save for 430ex and be on the lookout for a used one. ETTL2 is worth it.
 
E-TTL 1 or 2 is determined by the capabilities of your body and not the flash, so the advantages of the 430EX over the 420 would be a nicer/faster UI, faster recycle times, and the option of full manual controls. If you're looking for a cheap E-TTL flash and don't plan on using manual controls, I'm not sure if the 430 is worth the extra $90 bucks.

The Vivitar is cheap, but it'll last you 20 years and is one of the most well-regarded flashes out there due to its power output and manual controls. It also has an Auto mode, and while it's not as easy to use as E-TTL, I've read it can be more consistant.
 
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