Really ? Elements probably does everything most beginners need without any ongoing financial commitment. Plus there are other cheap editors like Photoline, The Gimp, PhotoPlus, Irfan view, Paint.net, Paint Shop Pro that cost very little or are free.
When you admit you only use 5% of a program it seems odd to recommend it to beginners who are likely to need even fewer facilities.
Let's not mention the intimidating interface and learning curve in becoming proficient with PS.
You seem to be obsessed with cost.
But, think about it........
All the power and flexibility of LR and PS for a smidgeon over £2 per week - most of our camera club members probably spend more on petrol coming to our weekly meetings.
But the real reason is that LR is so easy to learn, so intuitive and such a superb workflow management system - and the benefits are much greater if employed from the start of a photographic "career", rather than attempting to convert at a later date. Yes, they may initially only click through to PS when they need layers (that's the only reason that I ever do when, for example, producing a composite photo), but at such low cost, it is worth having that facility available.
