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I have built many many AR's and I can tell you that with current prices you would be better off buying one. The only way to make it cost effective is if you are going for a high end setup which doesnt sound likely for now or are very picky about the setup. Dollar wise it would make sense to me to buy a base model then add on as you see fit. You can build cheap with junk parts but it will then be a junk rifle.

They are really easy to assemble and you will learn every little part of your rifle but you will need to match the right parts and that will take someone with experience guiding you. Nothing like getting all the parts in the mail and finding you gas tube is the wrong length or you bought Colt pins for your non-colt lower. There is a lot of subjectivity as well when you get into stock style, sights, grip, foreend, rails or not, etc. might want to go to a gunshow and fondle to see what you like. There are other AR(ish) options as well such as the FN Scar, Sig 556, among others. Oh, and dont forget to buy an AR15 Armorer tool, they arent expensive ($25) but come in very handy.