steven antonucci
1.) buy something cheap in a set. It won't break the bank, and odds are that they will cut as well as a beginner can.

2.) Buy a few used tools here and there. Better quality, but you need to look for them. Clubs are a great source of discards and upgrades.

3.) Buy the best you can. If you decide you hate turning, you'll get most of your money back, and you'll know it's not the tools fault...

That said, I teach a beginner class. During that class, we use a 1/2" spindle gouge, a bowl gouge, a parting tool, a roughing gouge, and a scraper. Buy a skew and you have what you need.

Steve