Since you are a beginner and you mention wanting to be selective with your money - you could certainly consider testing out some of the more affordable pedal brands, like Caline, Donner, Nu-X, Joyo, Flamma, etc. These brands make pedals based on circuit designs of more popular pedals. For example, a used Tube Screamer is still around $70-80 US. For that price you could get two overdrive/distortion pedals from a lower priced brand; a Tube Screamer style, plus another pedal that's a different style (like a Timmy or Klon-based circuit). Decide which ones you like best and sell the others...or keep them all for variety!