Glider flying is probably one of the best ways to start flying. You learn quite a lot about aircraft handling, weather, airmanship etc. Granted, over here in germany we do not have air cadets so glider flying was the only way for me to start flying for real at 14. It was cheap, i saw quite a lot of europe during our summer gliding camps in different european countries and i still draw from what i learned back then. However, weekend jobs and some working during vacation is probably needed to pursue that, but that isn't bad either.