Back drop & Flash

I need some kind of back drop to use in my home for some photos of the family. I need stands and what ever I need to make this work. I have no experience with this so I am lost. I thought about a starting out with a white back drop and buy some other styles later.

Do you ever have enough light with strobes that the camera flash isn't needed. The automatic fire transmitters for flashes are they made with gold in them? They are all so high priced!

Some non-traditional cheap background suggestions

Depends on how many people you have in the shot & how powerful they are, doesn't it?
These were shot with cheap strobes:
Simple 2 Light Portrait Set-up

It might be better to shot outdoors as you build your equipment stockpile. A reflector (even foamcore) and natural light would produce some decent results. Shoot with a low f-stop to blur the background (f/4 or less). You could then add a flash for fill and then begin to move it off camera. It's a slippery slope and each step will cost you $$.

If I purchase a piece here or a piece there, what would you start with? I am trying to get me a working list in some type of order.

You're going to get a lot of different answers on that! I bought these 40 years ago & I'll use them 'till they die. Then I'll probably get some more.
Simple "every-day-emergency" location lighting

I want to Live the Strobist Life

Photek people popper kits are pretty good. For $150 you get a 6x7 background, background stand and neat seat posing bench. And it all fits into a small bag and is very light weight.
Also, they're made of velour and don't need a ton of light to make them "pop". I would suggest storm grey. with a set of gels you could make it whatever color you want.