Welcome, Willee51! Glad to have you on board.
While not quite as long a layoff, I am also a fairly new returnee.
#1....Check
#2....Daable check
#3a.....food color and blank paper/cardboard are your practice friends. As Don S. and other will tell you- it is a brush, not a spray gun. Still learning how to apply that philosophy.
#3b...Look everywhere for cheaper options. Beauty supply aisles, JoAnn's Fabric, Hobby Lobby - varioius departments, google, etc. Start saving small plastic condiment cups, odd bits that may have some use. a few aluminum cans for the material, etc. Don't overlook any potential source.
#3c....Right attitude!
#3d....Don't we all.
On another site, I had written my "Ode to Fiddly Bits". I cannot fathom how some do 1/72 with PhotoEtch! I am about to give up on a 1/48 cockpit that has a bunch of PE and simply do it the "old" way.
Welcome and above all.....have fun.