Congrats
2 more suggestions:
- since you live in the US, you could take advantage of the fact that some companies will rent lenses.
I have used LensRentals.com successfully ( if you do rent pay for the maximum protection program )
LensRentals.com - Rent Lenses and Cameras from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Leica, and more
there may be other companies as well.
you can do your own trial testing of lenses before you decide what you want to buy
- if you get interested in buying an " experienced " lens, be sure to check the offerings in the market place " buy/sell " here at the forum
I have had good luck in buying " experienced " equipment from other members of the forum