just looking for a magic wand really...anyone have one? :)
No and we don't have any crystal balls either. But welcome to the forum. With a cnc machine you will have to learn cad and cam and it can be daunting. Stick with it and ask as many question as you like and they will get answered some with humour and some not.

What size machine are you thinking about in cutting area etc. Budget!!. Be very careful with kits as they are not always as good as the makers claim.

What do context do you mean by milling ie steel or ali? Before you buy anything run it by the forum and see what comes up.

Good luck.