Being relatively new to it myself I'd say go with Ollie, also, (my tuppence worth) Hot water............ Hot Water.......... HOT WATER....... you can never have enough.
Other tips would be, stick with the same hardware and software till you get the basics nailed then find whats best for you.
Lastly........ persevere.......... the pay off is worth it in the end.......... trust me.
Andy
P.S. I dont have extremely thick growth but I do have stubborn hairs and like Ollie, I too prefer to shave in the evening where possible and allow myself a good hour to relax while I shave. I have always found shaving a very relaxing experience however when I shave in the morning Im not as relaxed as in the evening once the day is through.