new to the Sims...where do I begin?

I agree. Start with the original Sims, you can get it along with it's many expansions for extremely cheap right now.

The Sims expansions:

Livin' Large

House Party

Hot Date

Vacation

Unleashed

Superstar

Makin' Magic

In that, there is a demo family (the Newbies) you can play that gives you the basics of how to play. Once you do that, you should be good to go to create your own characters. Maybe later, once you get better at it you can add your own music and 'skins' (different character bodies and or clothing). When you get more advanced ask us how to do that.

I would tell you to buy the first Sims game , NOT Sims2 . The normal sims is easier.Because Sims2 is really hard !I even have difficulty playing it. But there are also cheats for Sims.Because you need money , money , money. so go to www.beepworld.de . It's in german, but I think you can maybe understand it ! heres a cheat :

STRG + alt + C then a box should appear in the game . You give in rosebud then push enter . Tataa you have thausend simelons more !

Rent a copy from the video store