[cg3p0]

First I second the phone app (see what I did there?). The first thing you should work on, if you haven't already, familiarizing yourself with the sky. It is very frustrating to buy a scope and spend hours just trying to find an object, only then to spend more time trying to figure out if what you're looking at is actually the thing you think is. This on top of learning how to use the scope itself.

Next, read books on astronomy/star gazing and watch a some videos on stargazing, using a scope, general astronomy, etc. You don't need to have a PhD or anything, but a general working knowledge will serve you well. Also, before you lay out the $$, see if there is a local astronomy club near you (I'll bet there is). Clubs usually host a public stargazing night which is a perfect opportunity for you to get a little scope time and ask questions (and make some friends/connections in the hobby).

If, after all this, you still have the bug it's probably safe to plunk down your hard-earned cash on a wonderful 6" or 8" dobsonian scope. I bought mine about 30-ish years ago and I still have it and use it from time to time. Orion 8" dobs used to be the standard for starting out. You can still pick one up for about $450.00.