Miniature Painting: Help a brother out

[SUPrUNown]

I hope this fits in here. If not, move it to where it goes.

 

So, I just got my 200+ Bones miniatures from the Reaper Miniatures Kickstarter last week. However, I no longer have any of my paints or anything, so, I am restarting from scratch.

 

Anyboyd have any preference or suggestions for what paints I should be looking to pick up? Previously, I used Citadel paints, back when a set of 9 pots of paint ran you about $20. However, I see that isn't the case anymore. I've been looking at Reaper's line of paints, but they seem pretty pricey, especially for the quantity I would need to buy ($184 for 54 paints? yikes!).

 

Anybody have an recommendations or preferences, or suggestions of cheaper paint alternatives? I want to use water-based paints, so Testors is right out. 8) Alos, any brand of brushes you prefer? I haven't painted figs in about 10 years.