[hcariss]

Check out leisurepro.com they have some great deals as do diver warehouse. I agree 100% on not buying used shop gear.
Build the kit that suits you. and as soon as you qualify for open water do advanced OW, its 3 more days you will learn so much more crucially you will understand buoyancy better dive safer, and use less air.
Gear : It does not need to match, you can buy lots of different parts from different suppliers.

Regs : Its your choice but I would suggest looking at Atomic M1 reg (best all rounder IMO) get a cheaper octopus scuba pro / oceanic but don't save on the reg think about diving nitrox or maybe even trimix later on.

BCD : Trust me a wing will support you as well as a jacket. I would consider spending a bit more and get a harness and travel wing from Dive Rite. This makes a small light package that you can build on or if you don't like you can sell and DR gear holds value

Use a weight belt not pull pockets, you can get a comfortable enclosed weight belt
Buy a computer Suunto to start with.
Get a good torch start simple but it will bring out the colors, (if you like the sport buy a green force umbilical) without a torch everything is green
Always carry a small sharp knife, you don't need a big one but you need it in a convinient place
Take a bungee form a loop put a small piece of plastic tube 8cm with two holes 1cm from the open ends, feed the bungee through the holes then through the holes you made tie the two ends of the bungee. wear around your neck to hold your octopus in between the plastic tube and the bungee so you know exactly where your octopus is.
Carry a flag or inflatable 'sausage' and a spare mask where you can get to them
Don't fight current
Always check B.W.R.A.F before you go in. its not a race and if you are ever uncomfortable slowly surface raise the flag and the DM will come and get you
Its a great sport, one last piece of advice the best way to get dive experience is to do a liveaboard trip.