So Ive been getting into backpacking and camping a bit more lately and up until now Ive been bumming off of friends, sharing their tents, borrowing spare sleeping bags, etc. I want to go out alone now and put together my own kit but I'm really alarmed by how expensive it is. I want to avoid buying redundant stuff so im trying to aim for all season, backpackable, general purpose stuff. What are some recommended hacks, min-max tips, or general advice on assembling the fundamentals?

Also I figure this would make a decent general topic too so don't spend too much energy calling me a fag