To try and answer your question:

I am going to make some assumptions first. 1) You have not flown a model plane yet. 2) You have not purchased a model plane yet.

There are people that dislike clubs. It may be the politics, AMA requirement, etc. If you are just getting started and don't know if you are going to stick with it, either buy a park flyer or visit one of the clubs. With the park flyer, any fairly decent sized park will do. Just watch out for spectators, etc. If you visit a club field, let them know you are interested in the hobby. Most of the people I have met at the club fields will bend over backwards to help someone get started. One thing that both clubs in the area want is more members. Not for the money, more to keep the hobby going.

As for the financial aspect, I joined the AMA in October of last year. I believe what I paid included the rest of that year and all of this year. The club I joined was the same way. Pay now and it includes the next year. I am going to join one of the other clubs in this area also (RAMS). I flew out there last Sunday for the first time as a visitor. All I had to provide was my AMA card. When I join at their next meeting, I will have to pay 1/2 the normal amount for dues (that is how they prorate it). So I pay $37.50 to fly there 3 months. I was trying to get $20 when my friend knocked some sense into me that I was being really cheap. Once I thought about it, he was right. How many things can you buy that are less than $40? Will the $20 difference buy me anything at the hobby shop? Maybe some odds and ends, but not a plane! So I am going to pay the $40 and be glad I can fly at their field also. And then in Jan I will give them the $75 for the next year. Along with AMA (whatever that costs now) and the $30 for Hobby Park RC. Not cheap, but what in this hobby is? I could wait until Jan to join RAMS and just fly there as a guest, but by joining I will get a key to the gate so I don't have to wait for someone else to come fly.