The best plan is to do whatever you find works for you! But of course I have some suggestions…First, I’d try to read at least one of the gospels through completely. Maybe Mark or Luke? I’d not pick John for the first attempt. If you go with Luke, then you could continue with the book of Acts, since it continues the story and is written by the same guy. One of the characters you’ll meet in Acts is Paul. Once you’ve met him, then try to read one of the letters he wrote. Those appear in the NT after the book of Acts. Paul’s letter to the Philippians is a nice length. Also, once you’ve heard some of Peter’s sermons in Acts, then go read the first letter that he wrote, 1 Peter.If you want the OT to makes sense, this is harder. I think it really helps to know the basic plot or outline of main events and persons. Sometimes it is hard to read the prophets, for example, if you don’t know what the Babylonian Exile is. Usually a study bible will have a short timeline and synopsis of the history. I’d spend a few minutes looking at that. Perhaps first try one of the short story books to get your feet wet, like Ruth. But you need to work on the bulk of the main story line too. I’d read both Genesis and Exodus. This gives you some of the storyline. Some people just take the OT straight through, in the order it is written. But other people stall in Leviticus or Numbers that way. Feel free to skip stuff for now if it will help you keep reading. 1 Samuel is more engaging than some of the stuff in Lev and Num. I’d read a Psalm or a few Proverbs every so often, to work through those books. They can be read a chapter at a time, easily interspersed with other things.About versions, if you have little cash, I’d use whatever version you have, for now. Remember, you can read most versions online, so you can try before you buy. I prefer to use a modern version for basic reading, but it is very nice to have an older version to utilize now and then if you don’t read Greek and Hebrew. I don’t feel there is a perfect translation out there. My personal preference is a version that stays close to literal, and is not a free translation. The more you study, the more likely it is that a free translation will annoy you.For a beginner, I think I’d pick a “study bible”. That is, the kind that has headings in the text here and there, like “the parable of the lost sheep”. That isn’t part of the text, but it can help you to navigate and not get lost.