Well what started me brewing was my Father. He and mom have been making wines for years. (Apple, mulberry, raspberry and grape) I asked him about making beer and a few months later he surprised me with my 1st brew day.
We made a batch from an extract kit. Dad has since past away and lots of the equipment was dual purposed so, it is still in use at the farm. I now help keep the wine going with mom on the farm, as well as, help her as much as possible.
So, I started out doing an extract recipe on the stove, got some deals on Craigs and hunted garage/moving sales. I did get some great deals as well as getting a few items from my LHBS. (This spot sounds just about where you are.)
I then wanted to stop buying extracts because they are pretty expensive so I focused on getting to AG but was a bit uneasy, so I went the partial mash route, then to AG on the stove top doing "split boils" in the kettles I had. (I followed Death Brewers guides that are stickied in the Beginners section and recommend them.) SWMBO disliked me doing this in the kitchen, a few DIY projects later and a month or so I had 1 keggle and a propane burner.
Now, I am all set to make the jump outside but realized I was in deep trouble. I had been brewing a 5 gallon batch or bottling every other weekend. While I had no issues with this, SWMBO wanted to do other things with me than brew beer every weekend, something about birthdays and friends... So, I needed to rethink my strategies. This did take me awhile to do. Fortunately, I have been "collecting equipment" I needed to execute my new plan and since I had been brewing a lot I had built up a decent pipeline. I also have been buying beer to make the HB's I have last longer.
My plan is to have "brew day" 1 time every 6-7 weeks, Giving SWMBO lots of time to plan things like our wedding and all the other "stuff" she wants/needs me for. When brew day comes however, I need to be able to brew 2 - 12.5 gallon batches of the same beer to go into my 30 gallon fermenter and my "specialty/seasonal" batch all in 1 day. My bottling/kegging/clean-up and let the equipment rest day would be done 1 day the weekend prior. I plan on brewing 1 - 20 gallon batch for me then the next one for SWMBO. (This will be my cycle)
I have JUST completed my 3 keggle brewery, I do NOT have a brew stand so it is "modular" (2 propane burners and an old enclosed printer stand with wheels) and "portable". I tell my self this to keep from buying a welder to make myself a brew stand. I have made 1 - 12.5 gallon batch so far in the new brewery and it worked pretty well. By the next brew day I should have my march pump.
I already have/had the hoses and quick disconnects I need. I also should have my 30 gallon fermenter project completed as well.
I am very excited for the completion of the major components in my brewery; the rest (brew stands and such) will need to wait until after the wedding this spring.
As, for "cost savings" I will be able to make a batch of beer for about 0.30-0.50 a bottle with all the supplies and energy included. (I like strong beer.) I will need to drink beer for a LOOOONG time before this equipment has "paid for itself". The bright side is it is almost all stainless steel so it will last that long!