If you expect to make $ you need to treat this like a business. Sure you could just throw together the best rig you can for now, start mining & wing it, but there's no this + this + this perfect strategy you can follow that will 100% work out exactly as expected. Do research, LOTS of research, like a couple hours every day for a few weeks if possible. Youtube videos make it easier but to be honest I was calling most people online idiots long before I even started mining.

If you just want to get started do that with whatever you figure out is best for you. Get a couple of cards or a used ASIC that's still profitable to mine with(I just sold my Antminer for 3 times what I paid for it 2 months ago) & get just your feet wet. There's even a post in this forum where dude is selling USB miners for $60 & I'm telling friends to get them just to get started. But if you really want to make $ mining long term a legit business plan isn't a bad idea. I store every point of data I can, save every receipt, calculate every watt, hash & cable tie to the cent... but my goals aren't everyone's.

At least make a spreadsheet to compare cards etc. & when you do get started please for the love of god don't use Windows(or do, what do I know)