[Closed] Potential bike build

HI for the new year I was thinking about buying a new fs bike as I only have a hard tail at the moment. So started looking online at some trek ex8 and even went to the show room but well the bank manager (the misses) says no to a big2.3k spend out.

So looking at build one for a couple of reasons
A learning curve
B spread the cost out without have any kind of hp and that I can put what iLife to the build..

So my main question is... For a novice whats the best route to go down. I did do a little research and I like the idea of a commercial frame.

Any comment good and bad welcome

Thanks Lewis