Hi Latestarter! Better late than never.
Everyone's different, so I can only tell you a few things as I found them. I had lessons most weeks (weather permitting), and it took me about a year from dreaming to having my cross-country and passenger endorsements. Total cost, approx $8000. If you can budget something in that order, you won't run out half way through. :)
I reckon if I'd had lessons more than once a week, my brain would have exploded, particularly in the first few months. Then again, if I'd had longer gaps between lessons then it would have just taken too long (we haven't got that much time to play with any more... ). On the odd occasions when I did have a few weeks between lessons, I didn't notice my skills being any the worse for the wait, so I wouldn't be too worried on that front.
Like I said though, everyone's different so just get out there and suck it and see! :thumb_up: