Find out what you want to create and reverse engineer how to get it.
Think of another hobby that you have. How did it start? Where it it lead? If you're anything like me, you start out cautious of how much money you're spending. You opt. to get the cheap or lesser version of this or that. Like other hobbies or activities you start and then fall in love with, you end up quickly realizing you should have got this instead of that. Knowledge and experience is power! Example- It would have been much better for you to get the canister filter instead of the hang on back, etc. Before your even start, DO YOUR RESEARCH! Watch a bunch of YouTube videos, read blogs and articles like this one. Find out what you want to create and reverse engineer how to get it. Don't be afraid to spend the money, you wont regret it! I think most people that exit this hobby do so not because of lack of interest but rather to a lack of understanding. Ok, rant over, lets begin!