I want to register my own domain name and have at least one POP e-mail
account with my new domain name. I would also like to establish a
small family website under the new domain name. 

I am relatively comfortable with computers, so everything doesn't
necessarily have to be included in the same package. What is most
important is that, in total, the various services come out to as low
of a monetary sum as possible.

So please tell me: what do I need to do, and where do I need to go to
carry it out?

Blie,

I'm a specialized web developer and buy domains all the time. In my
opinion, the single best - and cheapest - source for domain names is

Godaddy Software
http://www.godaddy.com

The cost per year for a domain name is $8.95. It goes down from there!
Service is great, and I've had no complaints for several years now. I
believe they are now one of the larger domain providers. Inspite of
the name, they're quite a reputable joint. :)

When it comes to hosting, you've got thousands of low-cost options.
And it's difficult to say which one is best for you because I don't
know what your needs are. It depends on how much traffic you expect on
your site, how much support you need, etc. Just remember that hosting
is pretty much a commodity now. The only reason you would pay more
than the lowest price you can find is if you need support. And that
comes in just about every flavor you can imagine - from no support at
all to a totally managed domain. At one end you get an ftp access
account and you're on your own. Unless you're very familiar with ftp
uploads and domain maintenance I wouldn't go this route. The hosting
service you choose should make you comfortable based on the support
you need.

Another BIG consideration is banners. There are several free or very
low cost hosting deals around. But they splash their advertising
banners all over the place and this can be annoying to your and your
visitors.

The most famous in this category is

Angelfire
http://www.angelfire.lycos.com

One of their advantages is that you can step through a little template
that takes nearly no technical knowledge.

Again, Godaddy is a good source for hosting. They charge $5.95 a
month. For the price, this may be the best value since they have such
good service and support.

Catalog.com
http://www.catalog.com

This is an option, but your $24.95 price is only for the first year.
Thereafter, you get hit with their "regular pricing" which is a good
bit higher and in line with the others here.

For full-service hosting, check some of the smaller hosting companies
in your city. They will probably be a good bit higher, but you never
know. This way you have a face to yell at if you need to. :)

Beyond that there are just too many to mention in the $50 a year
category. If you need more links, just ask for a clarification and I
can provide some more.

Thanks for the question!

Prof

Good information - well-organized & explained.

You might try catalog.com, it is very reasonable, and you can get
email, host a web site, and register your domain name (and it belongs
to YOU), which you need to look out for at many other so called
"registration" sites. When you register with them, your domain
actually belongs to them. Catalog.com costs $29.95 per year for
registration, and $24.95 per year for hosting. I have had very little
trouble with them in over a year of having my site there. Good luck!
nvwriter-ga