there would be more fun kung mura hehe. 
You could try looking at the '2nd hand' kits in some stores. For ex., there's this shop at SM North near the foodcourt where they sell some kits that were damaged by Ondoy. The downside is that they don't have decals (obviously) and sometimes are missing the instructions and box.
These kits sell for far less but if you need decals, you will either have to order from abroad or write the manufacturer (they do reply... I once had a Monogram EA-6B with a missing refueling probe and they sent me a replacement via snail mail that I thought would never arrive). For instructions, you can sometimes find these on the net in .pdf format.
Natalie of JMN Hobbies in Harrison Plaza sometimes consigns 2nd hand kits.
I agree about kits costing a thousand bucks nowadays. Factor in the cost of tools and paints/airbrush and the cost goes up even more. I did start with brush painting on 1/72 scale aircraft when I took up this hobby many moons ago. Back then, subject matter was very limited and tools even more so. You might say the present generation is very lucky to have such diversity at this time, plus you have the internet to see if a model kit is worth it.
My advice? Start with small scales and choose a relatively simple subject matter. There's nothing that kills inspiration more than starting a project that has no hope of being finished. Ika nga, "don't bite off more than you can chew".