I use the penny stove. same reason as you use the cat stove. cheap, and it works best for what I do (I find it more wind resistant than the cat).

Having said that either is fine.

The basic principle of a cheap gear list:

0) spend as much as you can on a sleeping bag.
1) simple cheap tarp - campmor silnylon for 40 bucks is good.
2) if you like comfort - something like risk's test hammock.
3) cheap blue foam pad for hammock (or on ground)
4) homemade alcohol stove. simple and works
5) Homemade pot - grease pot or heineken can
6) Pop bottle water bottles
7) nylon and wool clothing from the thrift store
9) polyester dress sock liners from the thrift store
10) running shoes
11) odds and sods (lighter, first aid, etc. etc.)

You can go a long way with that stuff, assuming you learn how to use it. Amusingly is not far from what I usually carry.