What do I need to develop my own film?

You will need three basic chemicals: developer, stop bath, and fixer.

The chemistry is the only recurring expense you will incur, as it will become exhausted and therefore require replacement. For miing your own chemistry, I recommend using distilled water, so this will be another recurring, albeit relatively minor, expense.

Your one-time expenses will be:

Developing tank and reel;

thermometer;

changing bag,

graduate (to measure the chemicals);

a timer;

scissors (to cut the leader and tape holding film to the spool);

a tool to open the film canister, which is optional.

Also optional: an iPhone/iPod Touch app, "Massive Dev Chart," to help you as a timer and reference chart. (Google "massive developing chart," which is provided by Digital Truth)

For the "how," I recommend the book "Photography," by Upton, et al. While the current edition - the ninth - is a bit spendy, you can find the sixth, seventh, and eighth editions on the used market for less. I still refer to my college copy, the fourth edition, because I find it so immensely useful.

In the meantime, to get a general idea of the actual procedure, try googling it.