Welcome and so glad you are out there riding - that is number one, afterall!

Waaaay back in 1990, after I had been riding a lowish to mid-range bike I splurged on a great bike, because I knew I really loved riding a lot. Ha, I spent $1500 on a top-end Bridgestone with Dura-Ace components.

Guess what? I am still riding that same bike, save new saddle and don't know how many tires and tubes. Today, it's "vintage", old-school down-tube shifters, traditional drop bars, 7 speed rear cassette.

But .... I love riding it, it is my commuter joy ride. Bought my son a new bike, to him, for $350.00. Back in its day (89/90) it was probably a 800-1000 something bike with its Shimano Ultegra 600 component group. He loves it, loves the old style shifting, totally loves that it is so much lighter than the bike it replaced.

As others have said, you don't always have to buy new.

Happy, happy riding to you!