Check out thrift stores...they usually have a fairly good selection of sewing machines, often in near-new condition. Prices should be in the $10--$30 range for an excellent machine.
My first one was a heavy steel one, made in Japan about 1960. It still had the instructions, but needed a bobbin holder (about $4 US). It lasted almost 10 years for me, and did many, many projects.
All you have to do is
read the instructions,
read them again, play with the controls
while reading the instructions, learn to thread the machine (by...
reading the instructions)...
First project shouldn't be a "project" at all, just buy some cotton fabric at the store, cut a few 8" squares, and practice sewing a straight line. Make one line, plunge the needle back into it, lift the presser foot and rotate the fabric 180^, and sew another line about 1/4" from the first. Continue as needed to learn forward/reverse, curving lines, zig-zag stitch (
read the instructions for settings on the machine), etc.
Did I mention reading the instructions?
It's possible that the local sewing place (like Joann's) will have someone there who'd be willing to show you "hands-on" how to do these things (such as reading the instructions, threading the machine, straight stitch, etc).
I do like the older machines (20-40 years old) because they are very much simpler (less fancy schmancy stitches), they do 95% of what you'll need in the first 5 years, and cost about 10% of a new, store-bought machine.
Good luck, and happy stitching!!