I'm new as well. But, I have already read every Huntorial going back several years (my, how things have changed), I've gone thru almost every other thread, and searched all of the for sale threads and I still have questions!
My plan is to buy what I can't make. I have purchased my hands, feet, and will purchase a mask and Bio. I will do a Mr I suit and make most of my armor, though the back pack still scares me. I will also make my own plasma caster and hopefully my own gauntlets. I bought a set of resin (?) blades but am making new ones from plexiglass. This way it will give me enough satisfaction that that my costume is homemade. And it will still have the quality parts that are made by the very talented members here. For me this fits my budget very nicely.
Good luck.