You have all the right answers above, they will just start repeating now.
At this point, it's your preference based on your research and your wallet. When I came to that point I bought a used Lincoln wirefeed gasless for $180, only 1 roll of wire had been used in it. This wasn't much cheaper than new, but it was cheaper. I could've gone cheaper with a Harbor Freight unit or a Northern Tools, but I wanted a name brand because of availability or replacement parts (of which I've needed none after using over 2 rolls of wire in it). I also went with this unit because I wanted a 110v that I could plug in anywhere instead of being limited to the 220v plugs in my shop.
When it comes to learning, you can spend the money and take a class or buy a welder, either way, eventually you'll be buying a welder, so I just bought and started burning metal to teach myself. Still have a long way to go, but I don't like school. haha