When I first started I wanted to do an airborne impression but like yourself I added up the cost and rethought
However I started a US Inf impression that was relatively cheap
Danish M43 jacket - £35
Olive green shirt - £3
Mustard trousers (second hand) -£30
Belgian M1 helmet with fibre lining £20
Original leggings (gaiters) -£10
Low brown riding boots £30
Various webbing ,belt,suspenders,waterbottle and Thompson magbag mix of original and repro £50
Total £178 not perfect but looks ok to start
Have now slowly started to add more stuf such as woolshirt and M41 jacket
Proper boots next on list
Cad
Impressions:
U.S. 35th Inf Tech Sargeant
British Royal Artillery Gunner
Generic SS Mann
Weapons:
Cyma M1A1
ASG Sten MK2
ASG MP40
TM M1911A1
WE Browning High Power
HFC Mauser C96