ReallyUglystick has hit the nail on the head.
Dad would certainly expand the budget and I think he would enjoy it as well.

Regardless, anyone getting into the hobby is gonna spend some cash. But how much really depends on personality, some people go all out and buy anything they can get thier hands on. Yes they obviously have the bug, and while I think thats killing a gnat with a sledge hammer, then so be it as long as they have the funds and are getting off on it.

Others tend to shop and buy the cheapest everything. These are the people that roll nickels around like manhole covers. I know cause Im one of them.
I will not buy something in the hobby shop that I can get for a couple bucks cheaper on the web. Especially these days, someone said it earlier, hobbyshops are just not as supportive as they once were. Dont get me wrong though, I spend lots of money in the hobby shop, I just wont let them rob me. Im still amazed when I see items that are 30% to 50% markup.

So to give my opinion on the actual question, I would think that $500 would be a reasonable budget to get started. That considering that you shop and compare and do your homework. Keep in mind though that what you buy now can reflect on what you have into this hobby in the future.
If your really good you can even do it cheaper than that, Buying a used plane that already has all the fixings with a radio field box etc is a great way to go if you have someone that knows what to look for.

Like I say its an individual situation in my opinion. Some people have workshops with all the tools, some live in apartments and have special circumstances, Others have big budgets, some of us dont. Its whatever you make of it really, you have the sticks.

Now Papa NeGeorgeo, You need to have a talk with your Papa!


Just mine

Dbow