Pick up a Ukulele, the chords are easy, plenty of modern songs can be translated over, and you’ll build the fundamentals for guitar.

You won’t need to read music, just chord diagrams and tabs. Loads of chord websites and YouTube videos to play along with.

Music lessons for uke tend to be as cheap as guitar and bass. You can get a good uke under $100 at a pawn shop or you can even get a brand new one (don’t recommend) for less than that.

They also come in different sizes. Concert size is a great start. Just don’t get a baritone, different tuning.