At https://www.reddit.com/r/plaintextaccounting/comments/1h91q2y/hledger_or_beancount_how_tos, tmoneytav wrote:
Alright so back at it again and I see various how to with GitHub to set everything up and have your downloads for your transaction files and your this set up and that setup but as I start to read their documentation I’m already scratching my head. As a noob I get that I would clone the repo but like where, somewhere in my home folder? I’m on a MacBook Pro. I can install stuff with homebrew but is there an idiot proof tutorial that one can watch and follow along with to get up and running enough that in a month I can begin to dissect data?
Or am I just a neaderthal?
Cc:
You're not a neanderthal. 
The getting started experience with PTA can be bad, because there are so many learning materials, of varying quality/age/focus. There is (probably, maybe) one out there that's great and just right for you, but how do you find it ?
Did you find plaintextaccounting.org ? All the known videos and docs are linked there. Some of these may have the right kind of scope and style.
The more advanced workflows like Full-Fledged Hledger are appealing because they promise guidance and structure. FFH also provides very good docs. Just keep in mind: they are another layer of complexity, and you'll probably need to read the basic tool's docs sooner or later. hledger in particular prioritises getting started.
Let us know what you find..
About version control. It's not required. Especially when getting started. You can just edit carefully and keep backups.
If you are comfortable with git, or one of the easier alternative tools, they can provide extra peace of mind and insight into what's changing, and more undo powers. Useful if you are making big sweeping changes.
Github is something different. For most people that's not the right place to store private financial data.
PS also: hledger.org > Get Started > Advice