Buy used clubs at a store that knows about clubs such as a used sporting goods store and ask which salesman knows golf clubs best, he might also be able to show you how to hold the clubs. The most important thing is they must fit your height, right or left handedness, etc., some good shops and pro-shops can shorten and/or re-grip used clubs if needed. You each most likely need your own set of clubs, or they could shorten every other iron if you buy 1 full used set of irons and one of you needs shorter clubs. You can get by with skipping every other club number, but be sure to get number 1, 3, 5 metal woods, a jumbo sized driver is like an optional toy, but you should learn to hit with a regular sized driver (#1), as well as at least every other number iron, and also get a high angle pitching wedge iron and perhaps an additional pitching wedge made much shorter. I prefer regular stiff metal shafts instead of flexible graphite shafts although that might be a personal preference. Also try different length tees (very cheap). Also try a couple of different style used putters to see what works best for each of you and then stick with that one putter each.

Get a Ram set. There good for beginners without breaking the bank. Then after a while, get Taylormade. They arnt overly expensive but still good

The best golf clubs for beginners are offset clubs, titanium club heads and fewer clubs. This is according to http://www.golflink.com/list_1442_best-golf-clubs-beginner-golfers.html. Beginners are advised to use fewer clubs instead of all 14 clubs. For more tips, visit the site mentioned.

OP's.......other people's ......make sure you like it before you buy a set.

if you're in the usa, most major cities have independent golf stores that sell used clubs and equipment. typically great values and have the major brands. as mentioned above, off-set is good, blades are not. i also highly recommend a high-lofted (13-15 degree) driver. hopefully you are getting lessons.