I think I'm finally getting the hang of XCOM. For starters, I decided to prioritize satellites and satellite uplinks over absolutely everything else. Excluding a few suits of armor, a MEC trooper, and a med pack, I didn't buy ANYTHING else except for things I would need in order to get more satellites. I also skipped over laser weapons entirely because they just get replaced by plasma anyway. Perhaps most importantly, I am procrastinating the hell out of the main story missions. I haven't even done the alien base yet and I don't intend to until I've got the best weapons and equipment I can possibly have without advancing the story. I lost the UK in the process but fuck 'em. I feel like I might actually beat the game this time unless it throws a really nasty curveball at me in the later acts.