Put your money in a decent guitar...
I used to buy middle priced axes, half good pedals, and tiny amps
But two years ago I bought a guitar made by a luthier, paid it 2000 bucks, but dang!!! it sounds awesome through every rig I have tested it through...
You won't regret it!! guaranteed!!
Amps color your sound, and make it louder, while pedals only color it.
If your sound is crappy from the beginning, no effects, or amp, will make it sounds truly amazing... As for the style you wish to play, I'd say buy a stratocaster with a humbucher in the bridge, I guess they call it a "big apple"
you'll get the best/worst of both worlds (strat and les paul), then you'll have time, later, to buy a decent amp and effects