There's so much information, and so many opinions out there it can definitely be overwhelming. It took me a few tries before I came into my own as far as what type of juice I liked, did I want to drip or carry a 6ml tank, how long I could keep a battery charged, etc... much less all the people pushing newbies into rebuildables and $170 mods (I like Provape just fine, easy killer) before they know they're own particular preferences. I too started by spending more than I need for things that have now become my "In Case of Emergency" kit. And burned up atomizers... And given away large amounts of juice I vaped maybe twice...
So my wife has decided she want's to give it a try, and this is the path I took for her using my experience. If it helps one person, then it's worth my time. **Sorry it's a long post, but I think my opinion is the best
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(2) Tried and true brand of rechargeable battery. eGo, joyetech, etc... Yes, you will find someone who says theirs sucks, and someone else got one that was broken, ..... happens. The other ..... ton of people that bought them are doing fine not trolling away their free time. You can get them cheap, as individual items or a kit. Why two, you ask? You know that feeling when you want to smoke, have cigarettes, but don't have a lighter? Thats the same feeling with a dead battery. Sucks bad. I got my wife 2 ego's with evod tanks, a case, a charger, and even a spiffy little 10ml tank w/ nozzle for $20 from fasttech.com Yes, that's $20. 4 Packs of smokes. Just go to fasttech.com and search for evod/ego/ecig...
(2)Tanks. Good tanks. Not rebuildable $100+ tanks, not even $20+ tanks. Just NOT the cheapest tank you can buy. Why two? You WILL break one. Or forget that one's empty. Or burn a wick. While you're at it, buy a 5 pack of heads for that tank. They will be sold right under the tank on any site. Like so many have said, it takes a while to order supplies so it's better to have too much than not enough. Still a $5-$6 add on. Worth it.
Juice is a matter of taste, obviously, but here's my thoughts. Get some menthol. If you're coming off cigarettes it's a familiar concept, and will open your tastes to the endless options out there. Get a tobacco. Maple rum, cherry tobacco, or something similar. It's hit or miss with most vapers whether they like to vape a tobacco flavor but the ones that do REALLY enjoy it in my experience. This might be you. Again, eases the transition. Try an individual flavor. I like blueberry. Some like apple. It's fruit, you probably have a favorite. Get it. Vape it. Easy. Lastly I recommend one of the many fruit blends out there. Again, you're going to be tasting things different and you're trying to zone in on what flavors you enjoy vaping. Some flavor's that are good to eat don't exactly translate into a good vape, but that's why you're doing this. So that's about $20 or so bucks for 4 10ml bottles. Thats some minty, some classic, some safe fruit, and something daring. It gives you a basis for what you like and what to order the next time.
You're in about $40-$50 at this point. You have a solid foundation you can add to and maintain. You have backups so you don't get stranded with analog's. You stopped smelling like an ashtray. All good. Most people drop AT LEAST $100 before they even start ordering stuff they really end up liking, so consider this justification to your spouse for the $50 second order of juice when you realize how awesome it is
That's riii-iight! 
