SEEDS OR SEEDLINGS: WHICH WAY DO YOU GROW?

Been thinking about starting a little veggie garden in my backyard, nothing fancy, just some tomatoes, peppers, maybe cucumbers. But I'm kinda stuck deciding between seeds or seedlings. Seeds seem cheaper and you get more variety, but honestly, I'm worried I'll mess it up somehow - like planting too deep or watering wrong or something. Seedlings seem easier, but they're pricier and the selection at my local nursery is pretty meh.

Last year I tried seeds and ended up with exactly two sad-looking tomato plants out of like twenty seeds planted (yeah, not my proudest gardening moment). But my neighbor swears by seeds and says seedlings are "cheating," lol. I dunno about that...I just want some veggies without too much drama.

Anyway, curious what you guys prefer - seeds or seedlings - and why? Maybe I'm missing something obvious here.