The title sounds like bitching but this post is more a request for advice. I’ve wanted to pull the trigger for six months now on buying my own router/modem and WAPs. I have a google mesh and it sucks, and I want to build a nas w/ plex and add a firewalla (or similar) to remove ads and manage my network. I’ve learned a lot already, but lately am hung up on the specifics. I honestly have no idea what equipment to buy to accomplish my goals. I don’t know the pitfalls of x vs y router, or when I’m spending $300 and only needed to buy an $120 part because I don’t need certain features, etc. I was looking around for something like the PCMR logical increments guide, but that doesn’t seem to be a thing in this world. My hope is to spend maybe 1k or so and get started. Can I get some direction from you kind folk?

Addendum info: My home isn’t wired for the WAPs, but I have a few hundred feet of cat6a cable at my disposal. Internet only comes in at one port upstairs in a corner over the garage. I do happen to own a 24 port switch and an old PC I plan to use to run the NAS. It’s about a 2k sq. foot home, but fairly spread out.