1. Get a bread machine. You don't have to cook the bread in it -- in fact, don't; just use it for kneading. It works MUCH better than most mixers. If you want good results from a mixer, you will need to get a commercial one like Hobart. I don't think any of the Kitchen Aids do a sufficient job and the Bosch ones might work, but why bother? A good bread machine works better and is a whole lot cheaper.
2. Get on Amazon and get some Saf instant yeast. It works better than the packaged yeast which you need to proof. The instant yeast can be thrown into the mix on top of the dry ingredients. One box will last you a LOOOOOONNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG time. Keep it in the fridge and you're good for a year, year and a half.
3. While you're on Amazon, assuming you want to make some loafs, get the USA pan. You can also find these at Acemart if you have one of those nearby. There are several loaf sizes, muffin size, large bun size, etc. Although I use a little, you really don't need oil, butter, and certainly not Pam spray on these and the bread comes out clean every time.
4. I like KA flour -- particularly bread flour. You can use either bread or AP if you have a good flour. KA is now at most grocery stores and I saw it at Target recently.
5. Reading some baking books is a good idea. Also, there are bread forums where people have tried, failed, then tried and succeeded. Pay particular attention to moisture content in your dough. A lot of bad dough makes bad bread because it is too dry. Its much better to have moist dough than dry. I've got Peter Reinhart's Apprentice book but have only skimmed it.
6. Alton Brown (Good eats) has a good basic bread recipe. I've adapted it a little and gotten rave reviews. He also has cinnamon rolls (another episode) that I make all the time. Now that I think about it, I'm way overdue on both of those.
7. I want 15% of anything good you make!! Good luck.