Actually I now know anybody should buy a welder and learn to use it before buying an old car. There is ALWAYS something to weld!
Not body related perse. Last in date was the power windows glass stops on my 73 that would slip just for a missing 3 or 4 mm in length ending up with the lock in the plastic round thingy preventing the glass to go up or down. Bzzz Bzzz, fixed in the next 30 minutes..
If you're depending on shops for a car that needs attention it can cost you a fortune and you will quickly see that paying a "pro" isn't always synonym of quality work...
Wait wait that's not all all, this hobby is great! Next to welding you will learn good'ol v8 mechanic, electrics, bodywork, painting just to name a few disciplines!
We all started there! I'd say take one thing at a time and fix it the best you can. Do not take shortcuts on methods or materials because 10 years and likely less from now, you will redo these!
You will also make lots of friends in the hobby (as seen above). You will get there if you want to! Good luck!