Hello all! First off, apologies for the goofy username. I may or may not have panic-throttled.

I'm a beginner in this venture and I do not yet have a ball python. I've wanted a snake for the last 20 years and I got very close to having one and it just didn't work out but now I cannot get my mind off that little snake. I've delved into research for the last 3 months or so and I have a learned a lot but I still have some questions that Google just can't seem to answer. I'm sorry if I sound like a broken record to you guys. I'm sure you've gotten a lot of these questions before. I have read a lot of the stickies, the caresheets, and the feeding guideline chart.
I'm trying to be cost effective. To start I only want one snake, no breeding. Part of the reason I'm asking all these questions is because I'm trying to figure out whether or not I can actually afford to keep a snake the way I'm hoping, and this is just general bedding, food, etc. I will vet the animal should it need it, obviously, but the long-term basic care is what I'm trying to work out.

So I've broken my questions up into categories to hopefully make sure I'm clear in them.

Heat: So one of the big two issues I'm trying to work out is heating. I know UTH are the better option and that's what I'd like to go with. I'm planning on at least starting out with a Sterilite tub with the latches and I know there needs to be a way for air to circulate around the heat source, so I'm wondering if the sticking type of heat pads are alright to use with a sterilite container? Also, would you recommend a sticky heating pad or something else like heat tape or heat cable?
I know I need to have a device that will regulate the heat. Is this a device that will shut a heat source off and on according to temperature? What brand would you recommend for this?
Also, I have been searching for a thermometer/hygrometer for a while. I have seen that Wal-Mart carries them but I like in podunk, USA and the only one ours carries does not have a prob. Is that still alright to sit into the tub and read the measurements?

Food: This is my biggest concern. I'm planning on going with F/T and I'm so concerned that I can't afford rodents. In reality, I spend around $50 a month in food for my furred animals so spending $50 or $60 for a few months worth of food should not be that big of a deal. It just seems like such a daunting purchase because I keep wondering what I do if the snake outgrows the food I have and needs a larger size and I still have a ton of rodents?! ugh.
I would like to purchase a BP around a year old. I know weights can vary and aren't necessarily linked to age but can anyone give me a general idea of the size of rodent a BP around 10-12 months would take? How about younger? I'm looking for a male as well, if that makes a difference.
What provider would you recommend, with cost in mind? Right now, after doing a lot of looking around, LLLReptile seems to have good prices. Really, it's the shipping that kind of gives me sticker-shock.

Bedding: In the the spirit of being frugal I'm considering starting with use newspapers or something similar bit I'm concerned with the humidity with that. I would almost prefer bedding for aesthetic sake. What kind of bedding do you like?

Housing: Like I mentioned earlier I am planning on going with a Sterilite tub at least in the beginning. I don't like the way they look but I can't lay down big money on a nice enclosure right now and if the animal can thrive in a tub that's what I'm most concerned about. I did have a V222 Vision and I no longer own it, which I'm disappointed with but
I have been looking at what the local Wal-Mart has to offer I thiiinnnkk the one I looked at and decided would be nice for an adult was a 54 quart with the dimensions of 22 1/2" L x 16" W x 12 3/4" H. Does that sound about right? What about for a juvenile?

Obtaining a Snake: Lastly, I'm kinda curious about getting a snake, in general. The snake I mentioned at the beginning was just a little guy, hatched in July I think. Their ad said they were all aggressively feeding, he was purchased by the ones who were supposed to gift him to me. He ate two rodents in one sitting, and then he went off feed and died a few days ago. So I'm nervous. Part of the reason I've held off on getting a snake is because I'm convinced I will kill it. I won't do something right and it will die and I would never get another Lol.
Initially I had been looking at ordering one online but now I am considering trying to find one "locally". We have no petstores here and I don't like petstores anyway so I've joined a few reptile groups to watch sales. I would like a male but didn't really have a preference on morph (only because I don't think I can afford a axanthic bumblebee, a pied, or a ghost mojave )
What are some things I should look for when purchasing? Is there an age you would suggest for a first timer?

And courtesy pic of the little guy who passed.


Thanks in advance!