That recommendation is outdated.
Unfortunately the mic recommended by Jason Snell in his A podcast Studio For Under $100 and Dan Benjamin’s Podcast Method is out of stock, but both of those were under $100.
The mic that I use, the Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone is $90.
This looks like a decent starter setup, and it’s in stock: USB Microphone with Studio Headphone Set 192kHz/24 bit MAONO AU-A04H Vocal Condenser Cardioid Podcast Mic.