One thing to consider is whether or not you truly need a DSLR, I don't normally recomend them to casual photographers because they are very expensive and bulky for casual shooting. You should weigh out your needs and what you would like to use it for. I actually started out with a Canon point and shoot because I couldn't justify the extra cost of a DSLR until I started shooting and realized the limitations of a PS camera for me.
You can find PS cameras that will take nearly Identical shots as a DSLR for less than a quarter of the cost. The biggest advantage to the DSLRs is their versatility but that comes at a high price when you start buying lenses since each one is about the cost of a point and shoot. If you compare costs to a nice PS camera such as the powershot S5 which you can pick up for around $300 or so it will cost you around $1500-$2000 for the same amount of versitility in a DSLR by the time you purchase all of the lenses you would need to equal the built-in lens on the Powershot. There is more to it than this which I won't go into unless you want more info but you get the idea.
Don't get me wrong if you think you would like to have a DSLR go ahead and get one, just don't buy into the hype that you hear about how you have to have DSLR to take great pictures.
