If you are genuinely interested in participating in the most rewarding parts of this hobby you are going to have to start with a decent set-up, or you'll be like many people who get junk that flies like junk and are dissapointed, so they quit.

Consider the RCU MARKETPLACE!!! You can find great equipment there that is slightly used but is much better than buying cheap stuff that isn't worth your time. There's no shame in buying used!

Save up the money you need to get the right setup the first time...you'll be very happy you did. Electric can be cheaper because there is no field equipment required (i.e. electric starter, fuel, glow igniter, glow wrench). If you do want to go glow, just make sure you go to the field when other people are there. Modelers are very generous with field equipment (don't count on bumming fuel) so you can pretty much share with someone else most of the time.