[Pink.Water.Lily]

I just recently purchased the sony a200 it came with the kit lens (18-70mm).... Its not what I expected...(the lens).. I don't have the money to buy a really nice lens, or to be honest a decent lens LOL.
I really want something else, I was reading other threads here, and many say the Tamron lenses and other's, but they are way too expensive for me, so I am looking for a simple zoom lens, I am into regular familly photography and portraits so if you know of anything that is in the lower-lower price range, and works for that please give me the name.. I may sound dumb, but this is my first dslr and when it came to the lenses i'm shocked at all the different kinds there is.
I saw a few NEW Minolta lenses at a local shop it's a friend- friends- uncle store so they help me out, so they have some really cheap, but I have no idea if they would work for the type of photography I want, It's the Minolta Maxxum 28-100mm f/3.5-5.6 D in new condition. Since I have no idea, could you please tell me, something about this lens, is it god for something, they also have some Tamron 28-80mm AF, so that would be nice too, but I really want to stick to Minolta... So please if you could list some Minolta lenses that you think would be helpfull to me, please list them. .. I didn't want to ask them.. yikkesss..

thank you, -- and yes, i know I need to learn more, i'm trying but there's too much to learn, lol-- that's why i'm here, i love this site..