There’s this lady here at work that I totally wanna get with. Spanish is her first language and I know she’d totally do me if I could get conversant in her native (heh) tongue. But I got no time and little fundage for a full on college-level course in Spanish.
Has anyone had any luck learning a language with minimal initial fluency using Foreign language software? Any recommendations as to which one to go with?
Get thee to a library!
Most libraries will have, at the very least, some language tapes/CDs. Some have software. Mine allows you to download language tapes! It’s truely awesome. Right now I am working on my French and learning "essential Twi (really, how much Twi is essential?) Arabic and Swahili are next on my list.
Personally, I’ve had a lot of luck with the Pimsleur method. It’s an audio based system that you do for half an hour a day, every day. It involves a lot of repitition, but no vocab or grammer drills, and focuses on teaching sentence formation. It won’t make you fluent, but you’ll be surprised at how fast you can start understanding things. It also provides really good accent training.
The Before You Know It flashcard system is also free and good. It’s definetly worth checking out.
Stop fondling the help.
I also used the Pimsleur method for Spanish. It works really well if you have at least a 20-30 minute commute - I did mine in the car.
Check out auction sites, though … they’re pretty pricey to buy new. And, they will not make you fluent … they’re useful to get basic (and more) skills, then work on conversational language (either with a tutor, or, ideally, with an immersion program).
Buena suerta 
I tried to learn Japanese using tapes, with dismal results. I think I listened to tape one about 25 times and never got to tape two.
I have always said the best way to learn a foreign language is to go there and submerse yourself in the language and culture. (The best place to learn a language is in bed.)
Of course, that is an option if you have the funds and the time (and a very liberal spouse).
My next suggestion is to find a local native speaker and have them come over to the house a couple times a week for lessons.
But if this Pimsleur method is as good as others have said, give it a shot! Certainly cheaper than the options I am suggesting.
If there’s a college nearby, you could try putting up a notice near the foreign language or ESL department that you’re looking for a Spanish language exchange partner: they help you with Spanish and you help them with English. Ideally, it’s a 50-50 trade, but usually it depends on who’s pushier. It also may depend on the language: while I was studying Japanese in the US, I met up this way with a Japanese guy who posted a notice looking for English language / American culture lessons. It worked out well for both of us.