You're welcome.

You're way ahead of the game. Best steps:
1. figure out what you need
2. figure out what you want
3. figure out what you want to pay based on #1 and #2
4. Narrow your choice down to 7 bikes
5. visit LBS, at least 3, within 30 miles and talk to them and see if you might eliminate any of the 7
6. Go back another day and test ride for at least 10 minutes 1 or 2 bikes at each LBS
7. Narrow down your choice to 2 bikes
8. See which LBS will give you the most bang for the dollar
9. Google your 2 bikes and see if any great sales.
10. Decide which you will buy
11. Go buy it.
12. Lowest costs are usually in slow season, Mid Nov to mid Dec, Mid Jan to end of Feb, as LBS and manufacturers try to clear out old models. Sometimes they will offer 0% financing to get you to buy their new old bike instead of a used bike.

Finally, after you get your new horsey, don't forget to exercise it regularly. If you just put it out to pasture, the joy will be lost. Don't work out too hard. It will take roughly 500 miles of biking before it all comes together. The good news is you don't have to saddle train the horse, just the rider.

Later...