How do you properly mix nutes? Im totally lost!

[AnxiousNewbie]

I am totally confused on how your suppost to mix nutes. Ive read so many conflicting guides.

Some say to mix your additives, then add your base to the point that you reach your desired PPM. Some say to mix your base, then mix in your additives, then either add more water or more of your base to reach your desired PPM. Some say to adjust PH after all your nutes are mixed. Some say to adjust PH right off the bat, then mix your nutes, then adjust your PH again. Which is the proper method?

Im going to use Advanced Nutrients, but not their entire 2+ line I cant afford it. So I cant really use their calculator since you arent able to subtract any products from it. It only works if your using everything thats running down the side of the
calculator. Should I follow the calculator for the additives I am going to use, then make up the difference in PPM with more base? Or should I follow the base measurment and make up the difference in extra additves?

Everyone says to cut AN's recommended measurments by 1/2 or even 3/4 to start until you get a feel for your plants tolerance. But Im wondering if that reduction guideline is meant for the light feeding, medium feeding, or heavy feeding chart? And do you cut all the AN products your using by 1/2 to 3/4, or just the base nutrient?

I understand the concept of proper PPM levels. Im just totally confused on how you go about reaching those proper levels with the 3-5 products you have in front of you when the only chart provided by the manufacturer has 17 freaking products on it that when mixed accordingly will give you a PPM of XXX.

I know that for the most part manufacturer feed charts are BS, meant only as a general starting point. Im just using this scenario to get my frustration across.

Please help. Thanks.

Anxious Newbie