I'd start with a budget, (I have an allowance and save some of it each week for the tool and wood bank) good first aid kit, dedicated work area, safety items,
a mentor, then move on to handtools -Hammers, mallet, chisels, screwdrivers, crosscut saw, rip saw, backsaw, miter box, coping saw and blades, sandpaper, measuring devices (2 foot folding rule, carpenter's rule, good quality combination square, speed square, good mechanical pencil), files, block plane, jointer plane, scrub plane, scraper (I liked the idea of using glass) sharpening stones -Though I have other types, I like ceramic (no mess while sharpening), a strop, a corded drill (won't have to replace batteries in two to three years) with bits -bradpoint, paddle, forstner. Wood. Workbench. From there I'd move to power tools - Dust collection, Good circular saw, jig saw, sliding compound miter saw, plunge router. I'd then move to a drill press, bandsaw, lathe and all it's tools. Through all of this buying, I'd be saving for a good quality table saw. I did get a cheap table saw as a gift, I still have it. (I'm not allowed to use it unless someone's home and I am closer to joining AARP then remembering my 21st bday) I'm not sure why we always put table saws as number 1 on the list -I cannot rip a 4×8 sheet by myself without a lot of aids or just my circular saw. I have found of all the tools- the table saw is the one I use less frequently over the years.
Although my senior
I disagree with Charlie, I used to agree with him. But poor quality tools are frustrating, they also become expensive in the long run. I would watch for estate auctions (I've bought some mid quality power tools for next to nothing), yard sales (I take my best friend's husband and let him start the talking with the men or they ignore me), go to the local woodworking stores and ask around, join some woodworking clubs -It's like a big family -More help than you can shake a stick at!. Make it a habit to go to the stores clearance areas. Watch for sales. I'm accused of watching for deaths and divorce. I used to have some old jig saws -my first that I bought about 30 years ago, one I received for Christmas and then ran across a Makita that was on clearance (something changed in the packaging I think). There is no comparison to set up, noise level, ease of usage of a good quality tool. There is also no comparison in learning to use hand tools first and learn to use them well. Use the internet for advice and projects then move on to the books and magazines.