Woodworking is a rabbet hole if you let it be. Best advice, USED TOOLS! I've spent a ton on new tools, when used would have been better. You are not running a production shop, you are a hobbyist.
My journey went like this:
* watch a bunch of woodworking shows and thought that I too can build great furniture in a day or so. Those videos are edited for time
* bought a cheap tablesaw, cheap router, cheap clamps, only to replace them because they broke or did not give good results. Bought new everything after that. Got better results, but wasted all that money on the cheap stuff
* started out buying cheap softwoods (construction grade lumber), got poor results because power tools don't really like softwoods
* Slowly started getting into hand tools because you have to make a bunch of jigs to make your power tools work well, which means a lot of hand finessing
* Eventually sold off power tools because I enjoy the hand work more.
Although I started with power tools, I was never comfortable with a table saw, I cannot stand the sound of a router, chop saws are not all that accurate, power jointers only allow for 6" or 8" boards, unless you drop many $thousands. So now my only power tools are a bandsaw and planer. I can 6 side mill lumber, but that's just extra work.
Unless you are using 100% plywood, step 1 is milling your stock. No matter how flat and straight lumber looks, it's not. Even if you project is going to have curves and round parts, it all starts with straight and square stock. Every project! You will need a jointer, planer, and squares. Construction squares are usually not accurate enough for furniture.
Step 2 is cutting your pieces to size. Handtools don't really like plywood, but it can be done. Power tools make quick work of this, especially multiple straight cuts. However, I found handtools to be more accurate and easier to finesse the final fit. Saws. Table saw, track saw, bandsaw, chopsaw, crosscut and rip handsaw. I like hand tools, but if you want power, I would start with a track saw. Table saws are nice, but you still don't know how much you are going to like or dislike woodworking. Track saws can be stored on the shelf until you have a home improvement project that needs a saw.
Step 3 is fitting the pieces together, joinery. Butt joints with pocket screws are very easy and a one handed half-blind guy can do it. Mortise and tenon is very traditional and can be done by hand or power tools. Domino is fastest, but damn they are proud of those tools. Power mortisers are nice, but fussy to set up. I've cut tons of mortises with Irwin brand bench chisels from Lowes. "Pig sticker" mortise chisels are sweet.
Step 4 is finishing. Sanders and various grits of paper. General Finishes Arm-A-Seal is a great finish and pretty forgiving
If you are afraid that you might mess up and run through a lot of stock, let me put your mind at ease. No need to be afraid that this might happen, accept that it will. Unless you are some freaky prodigy, buy extra stock. I have made some damn expensive firewood.
Used tools
Don't discount hand tools as old, slow and outdated. I'm often faster with hand tools than I ever was with power tools. Remember, you are mostly going to be making on-off items, not 15 of the same thing for resale.
Simple projects first
Accept your beginner level skills
Don't over think it