Newbie in Florida & a bit scared!...

Hello all!

My sister and I(she lives in Ohio) have decided this past week to do the Orlando Women's "My First Tri" Triathlon at the end of October. I have done nothing but researchfor the past couple of days! I knew NOTHING about Triathlons but decided back when I turned 30 that I was going to do something great before turning 31. This is going to be it

*Training begins on Monday--I have created a 16 Week training program based off of other programs I have seen including the "couch to 5K" program & combining my own strength training.
*Worries: Money! my current bike is a wal-mart piece of poo(literally--the pedals fall off). i won't be able to afford a decent road bike for a couple of months. bathing suit to train in. goggles. helmet. tri suit. new running shoes. i want to do this so bad but i had no idea the amount of money that would have to be invested. plus travel & hotel for the weekend of the race--oh & the registration fee. (sorry, at this point i'm just b^tching)
                OWS--I do have a tiny rec pool at my condo complex & a public pool I'm going to try to make it to once a week to use the lap lane but I live close to the ocean & I'm not a fan of swimming in the ocean(sharks). so to OWS train is kind of out for me. My husband says I am an "above average" swimmer so I should not be worried but I've read too many stories of people who have freaked out because they didn't practice with alot of bodies.

I'm sure there are many more worries I will come up with but at the moment that's all....

Any and all advice, tips, motivation, stories of your first tri are welcomed!!

Thank you!!