i just plan on doing simple portraits...nothing major right now...just something to get me startedBefore buying you really need to figure out what you need. Start by figuring out what you will be using the lights for. If simple portraits, a couple of lights with umbrellas and a softbox will be fine.
If you are doing large family shoots or lighting up large items, you will need several lights, diffusers, umbrellas, gels, and rigging gear.
Backdrops fall into the same thing. Personally I love paper vs cloth and will use it when given the chance.