You can also get started with an inexpensive electric park flyer.

Generally, I think you'll be better off in the long run spending the money onr a good glow-powered setup and following the advice above.

But if you want to really cut down the costs, there are some electrics you can fly for under $200. Look at the aerobird, it has regular flight controls (elevator, rudder, throttle), and is one of the better flying "all-in-one" packages out there. The downside is that the radio etc that comes with it are not reuseable in other planes later if you decide to really get in to the hobby.