If price is your only consideration, then yardage is definitely the way to go.
However, with that said, if you are wanting to do the scrappy look, or want all of a particular fabric line, or (as in your case) you are a beginning, and may not have all the tools for successful strip-cutting, then precuts could be the better choice. I saw mention of fat quarters in addition to precuts, and those are a good way to experiment with scrappy-type of quilts.
Often, you can find yardage for sale at yard sales, estate sales, and thrift stores. You just have to get a little lucky in those cases.
For me personally, I have SO MUCH FABRIC that I won't be buying anymore new for awhile... I was once a beginner quilter like you - but that was 32 years ago. I've lost count of how many quilts I've made.
And by the way, just in case no one has warned you... both the fabric and the quilting are addictive. My sewing room would definitely be proof of that!!