There's plenty of free VSTs you can start with. Just check the sticky in this forum.

Some of them are really top notch.

VSTs again are sort of something you need to grow into. Admirable that you want to buy them all straight out, but to be honest you'd be better experimenting, trying the demos.

General clap on the back for not stealing software when you're starting out.
You're a better man than me :)