If your max budget right now is $150 and you want to purchase now... you are pretty much limited to T-Hawk/AeroBird type aircraft. Lot's of folks learn on them. I dislike the fact that the radio gear is not easily used in other planes.
GWS planes run $35-$55 with motor. There are also a number of other parkflyer balsa kits in the same price range. A Hitec 3 channel radio with micro 555 reciever and two HS81 servos runs $110. Batteries, ESC, and a charger will run the total up to $250.
Maybe you should save a bit more.
There is also the thinking that one should buy a radio one can "grow with"... a 4-5 channel computer radio. That adds about $75 to the radio cost. My first radio was a 3 channel and I still use it, along with my second radio.
Sierra Gold
AMA 12351