For me personally, if I had the knowledge I have now and was entering the hobby right now:

I would not buy any normals.

I would only buy more than 1 snake with the same gene if it were a gene I was looking to work heavily with.

I would only purchase in a ratio of 1 male to 2-3 or more females. I would spend all of my money on females up front and worry about a male after a year when the females are at least half way or more to breeding weight.

I would only buy single gene females if they are new or very popular morphs.

I would avoid the most common morphs - I'd rather have a pair of newer or dramatic morphs than 3 pairs of common genes. The single gene pastels, normals, spiders, etc. will be difficult to recoup your costs on.

However - it is your hobby and your money. Do what you want and enjoy!!