@frompa
Where in PA. I am up by the port jervis ny/montague, nj/matamoras pa corner. Are you close?
You can never go wrong with a table saw, cordless drill, jig saw, circ saw, and router. For me in that order. I also believe that you should buy the best you can afford. When I was buying these tools some as far back and the early nineties I said I would by "professional" ie. Bosch, porta, Milwaukee, for two reasons. If they last the pros who beat on them day in and day out then they will last me the weekend warrior. So far so good. The second reason is they just work better for the most part. I have seen this best in my jig saw. Many of times someone has used my jig saw and commented on how well it tracks. How good it feels. That is a direct result of it be a high grade tool. Quality counts and will last a lifetime.
I have been dabbling in woodworking for many many years. Though it isn't absolutely necessary a good table saw will make life very easy. You can resaw lumber, cut to width and length, cut angles both normal and complex, dados and rabbits become very easy. I have been using a 10" table saw by skil for 15 or 20 years you can pick one up new for about 150. I have cut oak, walnut, maple, pine, poplar and cedar on mine. The fence is dead on accurate but it will take you a few minutes to set each cut up. I even found an article online that explained how to make a zero clearance insert for it (though that will void the warranty). If I had to do it again I think I would get a "contractors" table saw. I have used the dewalt on a few occasions and would give that a look.
After the table saw I would go with a hand drill. I have both an 18 and a 12 ryobi and Mikita both lithium and I haven't had a problem at all. I have had them for 6 and 1 yrs respectively. I spent $80 on the ryobi as a kit with two batteries and a saws al. $100 for the maki ya as a kit with an impact drill. I have used them from rehabbing a house to woodworking and hanging picture frames. Drills are perfect Black Friday items.
A good jig saw will just track better than a lesser quality one. The blades can be pricey sometimes. I have used my jig saw for flooring light scroll work, cutting lumber to size and even cutting tiles for math bath project. I have a Bosch, Milwaukee and porta cable are also good brands.
I have a porta cable circ. saw. Mostly used to cut down plywood to manageable sizes so I can get on the table saw and thicker (1-1/2"+) stock. I personally don't use mine much.
Router mine is a Freud. Again I don't use it much but when I do it makes life very easy. I think I would wait until I had a specific project in mind before I purchased it. You will end up wanting a router table also. You can build one if you like. When looking at a router go with a larger 1.75 or so horse power plunge router. Whiteside bits are the best around. Made in the USA and I get mine from a guy down by Harrisburg so they arrive very quickly.
Clamps, clamps, and more clamps, mostly bar in various lengths and 2" Spring clamps. Clamps are relatively expensive. But great deals can be found on craigslist if you have the time to wait. You will always need one more. I have a couple of 6" & 12" 3 18" 2 24" 2 36" and 3 72"
If you are interested in hand tools check out hyper kitten he is based in CT and sells hand tools. All used in great condition. I have purchased numerous planes, hand saw, calipers, brace and bit etc.
For hand tools you can't beat the renaissance woodworker.com
http://www.renaissancewoodworker.com/getting-started-hand-tool-list/You don't have to buy everything at once. As a project calls for it you can then buy the tool. That's how I got my drill press, making a $5 wine rack. But I have used it countless times since then on toys for the kids.
Any other help I can be please shout it out.