Basic Software Choices??

A friend has suggested I get these programs:

Lightroom

Elements

Neat Image

Photomatix

Nik Complete

Portrait Professional

I do understand Portrait Pro, Photomatix, and Neat Image purposes, what I am lost on is the need for Nik Complete Lightroom, and Elements. Could I get by for now on 1 or maybe 2 of these or are all essential?

For example if I get Elements can it do noise reduction and organizing too?

I'm afraid if I plunge into all of these it'll be weeks or trail and error to figure out whic features to use on each program.

suggestions please? thank you!