i would suggest playing free to play to start out.
you only get access to about half the skills, and a portion of the world, but you'll get the general feel of the game.
when you're in the lvl 30-50 average skill range and, assuming you enjoy the game, go for members and explore what other skills you can do, along with the rest of the world to explore.
there aren't that many low level money making methods, and those that exist often come with low exp for the time, but it's completely possible to maintain membership through bonds.
the other option would be to go straight into membership and roll with it, though you might not be as well equipped to maintain membership through bonds, but if paying membership is no issue, go for it.
if you feel like dropping some money for membership, theres a yearly subscription that comes around some time near the end of the year.
the yearly subscription will also come with various perks that will be acquired through the year. most of which are cosmetic rewards, though there may be others.
the yearly subscription is also cheaper than paying it month by month, but at a large one time yearly payment. so if you need to save up ~$100, you know now