Skint,
you are not the first (and probably won't be the last) guy to raise this one. Do a search into past threads and you will dig up all sorts of detailed advice & opinions, some of it good.
A couple of thoughts about your comments:
Helicopters is not the place to go to earn either a good or an easy living at any time. There is only one reason to do it, IMHO: because you love it, and aren't going to be happy unless you do.
Planks are easier, cheaper and with more scope for earning more.
From where I am in the industry, now is not a good time to be starting. Demand is low, supply is not short.
If you are going to succeed in helicopters nothing I say will stop you anyway..................
Good Luck, if you decide to do it.