Looking for helicopter flight training (and advice) - Sacramento now, and moving to Phoenix next year

Ok, I'm one of those people who has always dreamed of becoming a pilot
and always thought "Nah that's not realistic, I need to get a job at a
boring company and sit in a Cube all day staring at a computer
screen".

So 5 long years have gone by and now I'm actually realizing that I
should have pursued my dreams long ago, and when I am old and gray I
don't want to look back and regret never going for it.

So... how do I break into flying helicopters (without joining the
forces), and without spending a fortune and selling my soul to pay for
it.
I would like to train towards a career of flying.

I've done a fair bit of research, and all the flight schools are sooo
expensive. I don't mind paying money for training, but doesn't it get
prohibitively expensive to do it this way? It seems that by the time
you are done you owe 3 college educations worth of cash.

I'm looking for advice from any experienced people out there, or maybe
people that are currently learning.

Any ideas? Anyone in the Sacramento area offer any recommendations of
flight schools?

Thanks

Jon