Things you'll need:

• Brewer — I highly recommend the AeroPress for your first brewer. It's practically a giant syringe/plunger with a filter on the end, so you immerse the grounds in hot water for a while then plunge them through the filter. Definitely an unconventional way to make coffee, but one of the most flexible. It produces a smooth, balanced cup, and it's cheap, quick, portable, durable, consistent, forgiving (i.e. not heavily dependent on equipment), and easy to clean. It offers a variety of brew methods with complete control over all the variables, so you'll learn a ton about coffee.
  
  
• Grinder — By far the most important piece of equipment. For entry-level grinders: Skerton/Slim ($30) ≈ Porlex ($50) <<<<< Encore ($130) <<< Virtuoso ($230) < Lido ($180). Absolutely do not get a generic Chinese knockoff, it will be terrible and break. The Hario Slim/Skerton will get the job done, but in addition to being a lot of work, they won't be very consistent; the Encore represents much better value, and the Lido is the best grinder you can get under $500. Spending as much as you can reasonably afford on the grinder won't be regretted.
  
  
• Beans — You want fresh roasted single origin. I'd start with light-medium roasts from South America (e.g. Colombia), as they'd probably taste the most familiar, then branch out from there.
  
  
• Dialing in your brew — Here's the fun part. Take a look at the Coffee Compass. The basics: underextraction = sour, whereas overextraction = bitter; you want to hit the sweet spot. You can increase extraction by decreasing grind size (grinding finer), brewing longer, agitating (e.g. stirring), or increasing water temperature. Try one variable at a time; I recommend varying grind size and keeping everything else constant first.
  
  
  No need for a scale or kettle just yet if you're on a budget. If you do have the funds (and are interested in pourover), the Bonavita variable temperature gooseneck kettle ($64) is the gold standard — it allows you to choose the water temperature you desire and keeps it there for up to an hour, and the gooseneck offers an extremely precise pour.
  
  

  AeroPress
  

  
  Here's the standard Aeropress recipe that works for most things. You can use this as a starting point, then adjust the variables to your liking. Definitely use the inverted method: it's more convenient and less messy than trying to insert the plunger, and you get 100% yield.
  
  

1. Invert the press (pull out the plunger most of the way and turn it upside-down). It's much easier to use, and you won't lose any coffee this way. Wet the filter.
   
   
2. Use one scoop (~16g) medium-fine grounds. Add ~250mL of water (190-200 degrees, or if you lack a thermometer, just use boiling water), and stir a few times with the paddle until grounds are saturated. Steep for 1.5-2 minutes.
   
   
3. You can add a couple stirs here if you want. Then place the lid (containing the pre-wetted filter or metal filter), push to remove the air at the top, invert quickly/smoothly over a mug, and press slowly and firmly over 30-45s.
   
   Hope this helps! It may require some tuning to find the sweet spot between between flavor and bitterness. If you're overextracting/bitter, you can try a coarser grind, cooler water, less steep time, or less pressure (change one variable at a time to see how it impacts the brew). If your coffee is too weak/strong, try a different coffee:water ratio. Take a look at the Coffee Compass for troubleshooting.
   
   You can also take a look at the brewing recipes from Heart, Stumptown, and Blue Bottle. The Aeropress championship recipes don't seem as generalizable/reproducible without the right equipment, but they're fun to try out.
   
   I highly recommend the Able disk fine metal filter. It lets more oils through and produces a more flavorful cup with more body. It's also reusable and saves money in the long run. I prefer it to the Kaffeologie S filter, which has a greater tendency to warp.
   
   Keep tinkering with all the variables (inverted vs non-inverted, grind size, water temperature, water:grounds ratio, blooming with a small amount of water first, steep time, stirrs and turbulent wiggles, press pressure, etc). Enjoy your coffee!
   
   
   
   
   

   Things to avoid:
   

   
   

• Dark roasts. You're tasting more of the roasting process than the natural flavors. It's analogous to a well-done (overdone) piece of steak.
  
  
• Cold brew. It doesn't extract much of the flavors that make specialty coffee taste good. If you do want cold coffee, it's better to brew hot and then cool rapidly (cold crashing).
  
  
• Skimping on the grinder. Up to a certain price, it's the most important piece of equipment. An inconsistent grind with small and large particles will produce a cup that's simultaneously bitter and sour.
  
  
• French press. It's the method with the least clarity, so not the best way to taste nuanced flavors. It's also demands a very consistent grind (i.e. expensive grinder). Most people who do French press don't have the proper grinder for it, resulting in muddy, bitter brews.
  
  
• Feeling bad about adding cream/sugar. For many people, coffee is a bit of an acquired taste. Especially when you're making your first several brews, a bit of cream/sugar can help balance the cup.

What the hell I just linked that and didn't look at the price....

Best investment I've ever made that I'll never be able to sell!

Edit: Okay here's the same one I think that is way more reasonable.

This one for me. The screen type was too thick and the Arepress cap wouldn't screw on.

Metal Aeropress Filter ($12.50) because I really like coffee.

I recently purchased this metal filter. The best I've seen out of these metal filters so far. Also, this grinder lets me get the most consistent grind for my money. I can't afford a fancy grinder and with this one, my aeropress, and a cheap scale, I can consistently make a fantastic cup of coffee no matter where I go.

It's not local, but you can get one through Amazon in 1 or 2 days.

I've heard that, in terms of quality, the [Able filters] ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E58P81E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_OyAdAbF4QCHC0) are the best.

I believe these are stainless steel and they have two fine options. The standard one (I linked) and Ultra-fine. I'd suggest getting both, because the coarser one makes a cup more similar to French press while the finer one makes a unique cup that only the Aeropress can really achieve.

Aeropress, Manual Grinder, and a Steel Disk Filter. I started with the Hario Mini Mill with an Aeropress and I still use it for work daily. The Aeropress is so loved because its very simple to use and most consistent.

I also said to add in the Able Fine Steel Disk the Able Disk will let in more oils and is reusable forever.

Grand total is $72.50 on Amazon. You can wait on the Filter to drop your total to $60 and it will be worth every penny.

Get one of these I love it!

A bit out of left field, but you could buy an Aeropress and give that a shot. Maybe pick up a metal filter if you find yourself liking it.

https://www.amazon.ca/Able-Brewing-Coffee-AeroPress-Espresso/dp/B00E58P81E/ref=pd_cp_79_1/135-9260269-7872120?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=320SBANEGREKX3P3EW8E