RE: Newbi here looking for advice
OzMo is dead on. Join a club, let them know you want to learn to fly and let them know you have a small budget. Then start doing as much as you can for the club. Guys who see that you aren't just walking around with your hand out will help you if they can. Of course, the number of hours you'll put into earning that kind of help would probably buy what you need anyway. As I said above, I don't want to discourage you either but just answering your question and turning you loose would virtually gurarantee you'll be discouraged later and also $100 poorer. Every one of us has walked the beginner road and we've seen some guys suceed and some guys fail. The vast majority who fail try to do the hobby too cheaply and never learn to fly because their equipment isn't good enough.