Adding to Dave's advice I'd look up a local club
http://www.astronomyclubs.com/
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/organizations
and attend a star party or two. There you can "test drive" many different scopes and learn what each does best and how it fits your interests. They will also know the better dealers and may even have a scope or two for sale by members moving up in aperture. When you are a rank beginner only by using a few scopes can you really learn what to expect and shake any misconceptions you may have. All scopes are a compromise, none does everything. Maybe that's why I own 8, 7 of them for over 40 years a couple over 50. Only after using some can you really judge which compromises you are willing to make, money being one though there I often recommend saving for a bit longer than buying something you don't really want but can afford right now. Some clubs, here anyway, have loaner scopes to tide you over or hold regular star parties where they are willing to share some scope time with you and the family.

Rick