I use a vacuum sealer, but you do not have to do that. For years I used Reynolds wrap and freezer paper and never had a problem. The vaccum sealer is really nice, but not a must have. I would purchase the decent hand grinder (be sure you can add a wheel to it later) this year. You can figure out in the off-season what "nice-to-have" things you want to add after you have a year under your belt. The fact is, all you have-to-have is a set of good sharp knifes and a decent grinder.