Tri Bike or Road Bike for beginners?

If you expect to do nothing but tris, I'd say get a tri bike (if I had known such a thing existed when I got my bike last year, I certainly would have done this).

If you think you might participate in bicycle racing or criteriums, get a road bike and some aero bars.

If you don't know for sure but are going to be weighted towards tris, I'd say get a tri bike.  You can always pick up a steel road bike beater for a couple bucks used to start out cycle racing.

Just noticed the "don't have a ton to spend" - try out the classifieds here, on slowtwitch.com, and on any local race series webpage.  You should be able to pick up an older tri or road bike for a couple hundred bucks.  If you're buying new, wait for the fall sales to start online.

There are typically more road bikes available at lower price points than tri bikes.

I wish I had a tri bike... and if I find a cheap used one I might get it.  But for now my road bike will have to do, and it will work fine.

So if you can find a deal on a Tri bike go for it.  If you can't don't be afraid to get a road bike and use it for a while.