The best investment is RealFLight Simulator and the PT-40 with an FX-46. It will teach you all the basics without killing an perfectly good aircraft.
I flew my solo, took-off and landed on my first flight because of the confidence built-up in RealFlight, its about the same price as a trainer, radio and the necessary goodies. Then go out to the fields and simply ask lots of questions.
You will probably find a "graduate" that wants to sell a perfectly good trainer, learn on that and advance into low wing, better in the wind.
Just my 2 cents.....