# 🛒 FIREFROST GAMING: Complete Shopping List & Implementation Timeline

**Audit Date:** February 8, 2026  
**Current Budget Status:** Prioritizing free/low-cost options  
**Implementation Horizon:** 6 months (Feb - Aug 2026)  
**Document Version:** 1.0

---

## EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

**Total Required to Launch:** $0/month (100% free tools available)  
**Recommended First Upgrade:** Canva Pro ($13/month) - Month 2-3  
**6-Month Budget Range:** $0-56/month (depending on growth)

---

## TIER 1: MUST HAVE NOW (February 2026)
**Priority:** Critical for launch  
**Budget:** $0-50/month  
**Timeline:** Complete before website launch

### Payment Processing & Subscriptions

**1. Stripe Account (Payment Processor)**
- **What:** Accept credit cards, manage subscriptions
- **Cost:** FREE (pays 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction)
- **Why Critical:** Required for subscription model
- **Alternative:** PayPal (similar fees, less robust)
- **Setup Time:** 2-3 hours
- **Integration:** Paymenter supports Stripe natively
- **Action:** https://stripe.com → Create account → Connect to Paymenter
- **Timeline:** Week 1

**Status: FREE ✅**

---

**2. Pterodactyl Wings Plugins**

**a) Pterodactyl-Paymenter Billing Integration**
- **Cost:** FREE (open source)
- **GitHub:** Search "Pterodactyl Paymenter integration"
- **Why:** Auto-provision servers when users subscribe
- **Setup Time:** 3-4 hours
- **Timeline:** Week 2

**b) AutoBackup (Core Feature)**
- **Cost:** FREE (built into Pterodactyl)
- **Why:** Protect player data
- **Setup Time:** 1 hour
- **Timeline:** Week 1

**Status: FREE ✅**

---

**3. Discord Bot (MEE6 or Dyno)**

**Recommended: MEE6 Free Tier**
- **Features:**
  - Auto-moderation (spam, banned words)
  - Custom commands
  - Role assignments
  - Welcome messages
- **Paid Upgrade:** $11.95/month (music, advanced moderation)
- **Alternative:** Dyno Bot (also free)
- **Setup Time:** 1 hour
- **Timeline:** Week 1

**Status: FREE ✅**

---

**4. Canva (Design Tool)**

**Free Tier:**
- Basic templates
- Limited graphics
- No brand kit
- Canva watermark on some exports

**Pro Tier ($12.99/month):**
- Brand kit (save Firefrost colors/fonts)
- Premium templates
- Background remover
- No watermarks

**Recommendation:** Start FREE, upgrade Month 2-3 if Meg posts 5+ times/week

**Timeline:** Week 1 (create account)

**Status: FREE initially, $13/month optional**

---

**5. Buffer (Social Media Scheduling)**

**Free Tier:**
- 3 social accounts
- 10 scheduled posts at a time
- Basic analytics

**Paid Tier ($6/month):**
- Unlimited posts
- More accounts
- Advanced analytics

**Alternative:** Later (Instagram-focused), Hootsuite (limited free)

**Recommendation:** FREE tier sufficient for first 3 months

**Timeline:** Week 2

**Status: FREE ✅**

---

### TIER 1 TOTAL: $0-13/month

---

## TIER 2: NICE TO HAVE (March - April 2026)
**Priority:** Quality of life improvements  
**Budget:** $20-50/month additional  
**Timeline:** After website launch

### Content Creation Tools

**1. CapCut Pro (Video Editing)**

**Free Tier:**
- Basic editing
- Music library
- Effects and transitions
- Watermark on exports

**Pro Tier ($7.99/month):**
- Remove watermark
- Advanced effects
- Cloud storage
- Premium music

**Recommendation:** FREE tier works for most needs

**Timeline:** Week 3

**Status: FREE initially, $8/month optional**

---

**2. TubeBuddy / VidIQ (YouTube SEO)**

**TubeBuddy Free:**
- Basic keyword research
- Tag suggestions
- Basic analytics

**VidIQ Free:**
- Keyword research
- Competitor analysis
- Basic optimization

**Recommendation:** Use BOTH free tiers (they complement each other)

**Timeline:** Week 4

**Status: FREE ✅**

---

**3. Sendinblue (Email Marketing)**

**Free Tier:**
- Unlimited contacts
- 300 emails/day
- Basic templates
- Email campaigns

**Paid Tier ($25/month):**
- 20,000 emails/month
- Advanced automation
- A/B testing

**Alternative:** Mailchimp (500 contacts, 1,000 emails/month free)

**Recommendation:** Sendinblue FREE (better limits)

**Timeline:** Month 2

**Status: FREE ✅**

---

**4. Google Analytics 4 (Website Analytics)**
- **Cost:** FREE
- **Why:** Track website traffic, user behavior, conversions
- **Setup Time:** 1 hour
- **Integration:** Ghost native support
- **Timeline:** Week 2

**Status: FREE ✅**

---

**5. Cloudflare Pro (CDN & Security)**

**Current:** Cloudflare Free (DNS only)

**Pro Tier ($20/month):**
- Better DDoS protection
- Image optimization
- Faster page loads
- Advanced caching

**Recommendation:** Stay FREE until 10,000+ visitors/month

**Timeline:** Month 4-6

**Status: FREE now, $20/month later**

---

**6. Ghost Theme (Website Design)**

**Free Themes:**
- Casper (default) - Clean, minimal
- Edition - Magazine style
- Lyra - Membership-focused

**Premium Themes ($49-129 one-time):**
- Dope ($49) - Modern, membership-ready
- Ease ($79) - Clean, SEO-optimized

**Recommendation:** Start FREE, upgrade Month 3 if needed

**Timeline:** Month 3

**Status: FREE initially, $49-129 one-time optional**

---

### TIER 2 TOTAL: $0-28/month

---

## TIER 3: CAN WAIT (May - August 2026)
**Priority:** Growth & scaling  
**Budget:** $30-100/month  
**Timeline:** After 100+ members, proven revenue

### Advanced Tools

**1. Discord Nitro Server Boost**
- **Cost:** $14.99/month (3 boosts = Level 2)
- **Benefits:**
  - Custom URL (discord.gg/firefrost)
  - 150 emoji slots
  - 1080p video
  - Custom banner
- **Recommendation:** Wait until 50+ active members
- **Timeline:** Month 4-5

**Status: $15/month (later)**

---

**2. OBS Studio Plugins (Streaming)**

**Free Plugins:**
- StreamFX - Advanced effects
- Source Record - Record individual sources
- Move Transition - Smooth scene transitions

**Cost:** FREE (all open source)

**Timeline:** Month 3

**Status: FREE ✅**

---

**3. StreamElements (Twitch Tools)**
- **Cost:** FREE (no watermark)
- **Features:**
  - Donation alerts
  - Overlays
  - Chatbot
  - Analytics
- **Alternative:** StreamLabs ($19/month for Prime)
- **Timeline:** Month 3

**Status: FREE ✅**

---

**4. Adobe Creative Cloud**

**Cost:** $54.99/month (full suite) or $20.99/month (Photography)

**Free Alternatives:**
- Photopea (web Photoshop clone)
- DaVinci Resolve (video editing)
- GIMP (image editing)

**Recommendation:** Use FREE alternatives until revenue supports Adobe

**Timeline:** Month 6+

**Status: FREE alternatives available**

---

**5. Advanced SEO Tools**

**Ahrefs:** $99/month  
**SEMrush:** $119/month

**Free Alternatives:**
- Google Search Console
- Ubersuggest (limited free)
- AnswerThePublic

**Recommendation:** FREE tools until 10,000+ visitors/month

**Timeline:** Month 6+

**Status: FREE alternatives**

---

**6. Make.com (Automation)**

**Free Tier:**
- 1,000 operations/month
- Unlimited scenarios
- All integrations

**Paid Tier ($9/month):**
- 10,000 operations/month

**Alternative:** Zapier (100 tasks/month free)

**Recommendation:** Make.com FREE tier

**Timeline:** Month 5-6

**Status: FREE ✅**

---

### TIER 3 TOTAL: $0-70/month (most stay free)

---

## MINECRAFT SERVER PLUGINS (All FREE)

**Essential Plugins:**

**1. CoreProtect (Logging & Rollback)**
- **Cost:** FREE
- **Why:** Track all player actions, rollback griefing
- **Setup:** 1 hour
- **Timeline:** Week 1

**2. LuckPerms (Permission Management)**
- **Cost:** FREE
- **Why:** Manage subscription tier permissions
- **Setup:** 2-3 hours
- **Timeline:** Week 2

**3. Chunky (World Pre-generation)**
- **Cost:** FREE
- **Why:** Pre-generate chunks, reduce lag
- **Setup:** 1 hour per world
- **Timeline:** Anytime

**4. Plan (Server Analytics)**
- **Cost:** FREE
- **Why:** Track player activity, playtime, server performance
- **Setup:** 1 hour
- **Timeline:** Month 2

**All plugins: FREE ✅**

---

## GHOST CMS ENHANCEMENTS (All FREE)

**1. Ghost Search (Algolia Free Tier)**
- 10,000 searches/month
- Timeline: Month 2

**2. Ghost Members Portal**
- Built-in, FREE
- Customize with CSS
- Timeline: Week 2

**3. Comments (Optional)**
- Commento (self-hosted, FREE)
- Disqus (free with ads, $11/month ad-free)
- Timeline: Month 3-4

**All FREE or optional**

---

## BUDGET SUMMARY

### Month 1-2 (Launch Phase)
**Required:** $0/month  
**Optional:** +$13/month (Canva Pro)  
**Total:** $0-13/month

### Month 3-4 (Growth Phase)
**Add:** CapCut Pro ($8/month if needed)  
**Total:** $0-21/month

### Month 5-6 (Scaling Phase)
**Add:** Discord Nitro ($15/month at 50+ members)  
**Add:** Cloudflare Pro ($20/month if traffic warrants)  
**Total:** $35-56/month

### Month 7-12 (Maturity Phase)
**Optional:** Adobe CC ($55/month if doing pro video)  
**Optional:** SEO tools ($99/month if revenue supports)  
**Total:** $35-210/month (growth-dependent)

---

## REVENUE VS EXPENSES (Projection)

**Conservative Revenue Estimate:**

| Tier | Members | Price | Monthly Revenue |
|------|---------|-------|-----------------|
| Awakened | 50 | $1 one-time | $50 (one-time) |
| Elemental | 10 | $5/month | $50/month |
| Knight | 5 | $10/month | $50/month |
| Master | 2 | $15/month | $30/month |
| Legend | 1 | $20/month | $20/month |
| **Total** | | | **$150/month recurring** |

**Expenses (Month 3):**
- Tools: $13-21/month
- Server hosting: (Existing sunk cost)

**Net Profit:** $129-137/month (even at small scale)

**Conclusion:** Firefrost is profitable even with modest growth

---

## IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE (6 Months)

### MONTH 1 (February 2026): Foundation

**Week 1:**
- [ ] Create Stripe account
- [ ] Set up Discord bot (MEE6)
- [ ] Install CoreProtect on all servers
- [ ] Create Canva account (FREE)
- [ ] Set up Google Analytics

**Week 2:**
- [ ] Install LuckPerms
- [ ] Configure Paymenter subscription tiers
- [ ] Test Stripe → Paymenter → Pterodactyl flow
- [ ] Set up Buffer

**Week 3:**
- [ ] Install Pterodactyl billing integration
- [ ] Configure AutoBackup
- [ ] Customize Ghost membership portal
- [ ] Create social media accounts

**Week 4:**
- [ ] Test end-to-end subscription flow
- [ ] Soft launch Discord (friends/testers)
- [ ] Post first TikTok (Meg)
- [ ] Bug fixes

---

### MONTH 2 (March 2026): Launch

**Week 1:**
- [ ] Public Discord launch
- [ ] Launch firefrostgaming.com
- [ ] Enable subscriptions (Awakened tier)
- [ ] Post 3-5 TikToks

**Week 2:**
- [ ] Upload first YouTube video
- [ ] Set up Sendinblue email
- [ ] Install Plan plugin
- [ ] Monitor first subscribers

**Week 3:**
- [ ] Launch Instagram
- [ ] Post first Twitter thread
- [ ] Set up TubeBuddy
- [ ] Review analytics

**Week 4:**
- [ ] Evaluate Canva FREE vs PRO
- [ ] First community game night
- [ ] Collect feedback
- [ ] Adjust strategy

---

### MONTH 3 (April 2026): Content

**Week 1:**
- [ ] Launch Twitch (OBS, StreamElements)
- [ ] First live stream
- [ ] Post stream highlights

**Week 2:**
- [ ] Create r/FirefrostGaming subreddit
- [ ] Launch Facebook page
- [ ] Test CapCut Pro trial

**Week 3:**
- [ ] Upload 2-3 YouTube videos
- [ ] Run Instagram poll
- [ ] Optimize website (Analytics data)

**Week 4:**
- [ ] Review Month 3 performance
- [ ] Decide: CapCut Pro worth it?
- [ ] Plan Month 4 calendar

---

### MONTH 4 (May 2026): Growth

**Week 1:**
- [ ] If 50+ members: Discord Nitro
- [ ] Launch LinkedIn (optional)
- [ ] Create GitHub org

**Week 2:**
- [ ] Consider premium Ghost theme
- [ ] Add Algolia search
- [ ] Optimize posting times

**Week 3:**
- [ ] Run community event
- [ ] Feature winner on YouTube
- [ ] Cross-promote

**Week 4:**
- [ ] Review revenue (profitable?)
- [ ] Evaluate Cloudflare Pro
- [ ] Plan Month 5

---

### MONTH 5-6 (June-July 2026): Optimization

- [ ] Set up Make.com automation
- [ ] Optimize subscription tiers
- [ ] Consider Patron tier ($60/year)
- [ ] Evaluate advanced tools
- [ ] Run sponsored event/giveaway
- [ ] 6-month review

---

## PRIORITY CHECKLIST (Do This FIRST)

**This Week:**
1. [ ] Create Stripe account
2. [ ] Install Discord bot (MEE6)
3. [ ] Create Canva account (FREE)
4. [ ] Install CoreProtect on servers

**Next Week:**
5. [ ] Configure Paymenter + Stripe
6. [ ] Install LuckPerms
7. [ ] Set up Buffer
8. [ ] Create social media accounts

**Within 30 Days:**
9. [ ] Launch Discord
10. [ ] Launch website with subscriptions
11. [ ] Post first TikToks (Meg)
12. [ ] Upload first YouTube video

---

## FREE vs PAID DECISION MATRIX

**Stay Free When:**
- First 3 months (testing/learning)
- Revenue < $100/month
- Less than 50 active members
- Free tools meet 80% of needs

**Upgrade When:**
- Revenue > $100/month (profitable)
- Free tier limits block growth
- Meg spends 5+ hours/week fighting tool limitations
- Paid feature unlocks significant time/revenue

**Golden Rule:** Every paid tool must pay for itself in time saved or revenue generated.

---

## ACCOUNTS TO CREATE (All FREE)

**Payment & Tools:**
- [ ] Stripe (https://stripe.com)
- [ ] Canva (https://canva.com)
- [ ] Buffer (https://buffer.com)
- [ ] Google Analytics (https://analytics.google.com)
- [ ] Sendinblue (https://sendinblue.com)
- [ ] TubeBuddy (https://tubbuddy.com)

**Social Media:**
- [ ] Discord Server (discord.com)
- [ ] TikTok (@FirefrostGaming)
- [ ] Instagram (@FirefrostGaming)
- [ ] Twitter/X (@FirefrostGaming)
- [ ] YouTube (@FirefrostOfficial)
- [ ] Facebook (Firefrost Gaming)
- [ ] Twitch (@FirefrostGaming)
- [ ] Reddit (r/FirefrostGaming)

---

## FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS

**1. Launch with 100% FREE tools**
- Everything you NEED is free
- Don't spend money until proven necessary

**2. First paid upgrade: Canva Pro ($13/month)**
- Only if Meg posts 5+ times/week
- Wait until Month 2-3

**3. Second paid upgrade: Discord Nitro ($15/month)**
- Only when 50+ active members
- Unlocks custom URL

**4. Avoid expensive tools early**
- No Adobe CC until doing professional video
- No SEO tools until 10,000+ visitors/month
- No premium themes until proven limitation

**5. Every dollar spent must earn itself back**
- Track ROI on all paid tools
- Cancel anything not providing value

---

## REVISION HISTORY

| Version | Date | Changes |
|---------|------|---------|
| **1.0** | 2026-02-08 | Initial shopping list. Comprehensive audit of tools needed for Firefrost Gaming launch across payment, content creation, social media, and server management. |

---

**END OF SHOPPING LIST**

**The Wizard's Advice: Start with $0/month. Upgrade only when revenue justifies it.** 🧙‍♂️💰

**Fire + Frost = Balance. Budget + Revenue = Sustainability.** 🔥❄️
