My first grow last year was 2 bagseed girls, under (4) T5's (got the double light basic ballast for 5 bucks apiece at lowes on clearance) and (2) T8 bulbs in a ballast i got at walmart for 10 bucks. Add bulbs (got at home depot) Add some Schultz premium plus soil like $5...figured i spent $55 total. I just let em grow...no training or anything...and after making EVERY noob mistake known to mankind...still ended up with 1.5oz off those 2 plants. Kept me happy for a couple months. You can go cheap and still get adequate weed for personal use. I have since upgraded to a 400w MH/HPS system with a cooled hood, cost me about 300 bucks...and its certainly superior to my last setup. I upgraded in hopes to get enough weed per grow so i only have to grow a couple times a year (wife fucking hates it). And 2 weeks into flower now with 1 plant that I LST'd the fuck out of (SLH) and i should easily double my last haul. Im sure i coulda spent lots more...but i dont need 3 years worth of weed at a time. So I guess what im sayin...is whatever works for YOU...go with it and perfect it...thats half the fun of growing =]...good luck!