go to the shelter and adopt a cat (about 1 year old) that needs a home, not a kitten because they destroy too much. choose a cat that bonds well with you (male or female) just don't pick one that's hissing because you'll be taking it back. normally the cat should be spayed/neutered by this time and have their first series of shots, it is up to you to make sure the cat is seen regularly by a vet and given a healthy diet of strictly cat food.
cats are independent, so if at first kitty is shy and doesn't want to play, don't do something stupid to taunt him or he/she will hate you forever. make sure you buy cat nip and a scratching pad, most shelter/rescue cats are not declawed which can be both good/bad. but if kitty has no toys to scratch, kitty with scratch everything in site (my cats LOVE paper towels and doors)
if you plan to let kitty outside make sure you deworm him/her frequently (look for little white rice shaped things in teh doo doo, that's worms) also whether indoor/outdoor, use a flea/tick med (frontline plus) and use a flea collar along with a regular collar (break away closures are best).
things to keep in mind:
-buy clumping litter with odor crystals.
-don't buy iams food, they support animal testing and cruelty (it's gross)
-catnip + lots of toys for teh kitteh
-fancy feast or another wet food is a good treat
and most of all: if something goes wrong and you can't care for him/her anymore please don't abandon or harm the kitty. so many people do that and it's sad...
ENJOY :)