I think suspension mods should start off with better Z-rated tires (or V). Z-rated have a softer compound so they stick harder but wear out quicker. A strut tower bar seems to be also a cheap upgrade ~ $50 - performs and looks good. Springs and shocks can easily cost over $400. A beginner's setup would involve getting used springs, but new shocks in my opinion. Shocks can go bad, but springs rarely do. Assume Pro-kits or other springs for about $125, then you should also get shocks. Cheapest would be KYB GR-2 or Tokiko Illuminas, both sets of four would be under $240. Or I guess if they went with Pro-kits and had no money, stock shocks may be able to withstand the 1.3" drop for a while at least. To me, a camber kit is optional on drops up to 1.75". Sure, your camber will be off and wear out the insides of your tires. But if you're an aggressive driver, you will wear out your tires anyways. I wore mine down past the tread bars (insides were worn significantly more), but the center of the tire was worn out too, so it made no difference if I had camber kits or not. I would still get the same life out of those tires. But an alignment is a must since toe may be off, and bad toe wears out tires way quicker than negative camber.

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2004 WRX - WR Blue Pearl
1997 Eclipse GS - Royal Sapphire Pearl