I think being well educated about what your getting into is one so there are no gotchas somewhere into it. Further you have to really want it. I really want ( wanted it ?? ) and even still it was really hard forking over a few hundred for 1.4 in the logbook.
In that same regard I guess there is comfort in knowing that everyone else has done it so ( paying big bucks, ups and downs, etc ) so you should be able to too.

In regards to schools I think this. A place that has lots of bells and whistles in the room, a silver SR20 for primary training and a brand new frasca simulator have spent allot of money on something and thats going to come out of your pocket while you should know that after your checkride the piece of paper and then wallet sized card is the same for everyone whether it was in the SR20 with a ballistic parachute or in a beatup C152 that rents for 90$ an hour wet. Frankly ill have plenty of fun in the 152 and have some money left over for other things like buying my instructor lunch. BTW if you like them you should do that.. Im not an instructor but I did and they will appreciate it.

One of the best schools that I actually didnt do my private, instrument or commercial with but was in the area was a little school with some really good rates C152, 172, PA160 all under 100$ barely wet.. Actually I think the PA160 was 107$ anyways they had a great culture there, were interested in what you wanted to do as a pilot or just shoot the breeze and never complained about me renting a plane for the whole day to go out somewhere with my friends but only put 2.2 hours on the clock. Thats a good flightschool!

Get the instruction but dont get sold on a bunch of bells and whistles. The FAA PTS might be your friend in this regard as it will show you the minimums that you need for any rating. nothing more nothing less, try using that for a guide maybe compared to what your being told. Just a thought.
Cheers mate.