Don't be afraid to buy used. eBay and Half.com have tons of stuff for a fraction of retail. Pawn shops too. I've gotten some of my favorite stuff secondhand. As long as it works, who cares if it's not brand new in the box?

Honestly just dive in. You learn this stuff by doing it, not by researching it forever. I spent months reading about getting started instead of actually starting. Looking back I wasted a lot of time being scared to begin.

Don't spend a lot of money right away. The industry changes constantly and what's considered the best today will be outdated in a year or two. Start with a mid-range option and you'll be happy.

Whatever you pick, the most important thing is that you actually enjoy it. There's no point owning the 'best' gear if you never use it. I've seen people get so caught up in specs that they forget to have fun with the hobby.

Whatever you do, ignore the snobs. Every hobby has gatekeepers who act like you need expensive gear or 'correct' taste to belong. Forget them. Enjoy it your own way at your own pace. It's supposed to be fun.

GameFAQs is a goldmine if this is about video games. Walkthroughs, reviews, message boards, the works. For music, check Allmusic.com — they have great write-ups and 'if you like X you'll like Y' recommendations.

I've been into this hobby for over 10 years and the best advice I can give a beginner is: don't overthink it. Start with something affordable, learn the basics, and then upgrade once you know what you actually want and need.