Chess Software, Engine or Engine/Database?

Hello everyone! I've come to that point in my chess career where I feel like I need to improve my openings, and study my OTB games at length. Now, I know simply plugging in a game to an engine will not help me really understand the position, but in some cases I would like to know if the endgame is drawn, if I had forced mate and slipped up, ect. Surprisingly enough, trying to figure out what software to buy is not an easy task at all! (Example: you can download Houdini for free, but you must have a server or something already before you can use it. Wha???) Let me know if this is right, you can go to Uschess.org, and under software, when it says, Fritz or something for $80 or so, that is the complete engine.

One more thing, right now, I use MCO to prepare, which is not unlike trying to sip water from a fire hydrant. It seems easier to use a database. (Example: on Uschess.org, there is this thing called Chessbase that sells for like $200 for the top edition. Is this an engine and a data base?)

I would appricate any help on this! If you know of an article or such on this topic, I would appricate a link! Also, I am 16 and have some time and money to put into this, if that answers any questions in advance!

@pfren, sorry, I need to update my rating, it's 1550 now, think it's good enough to benifit? Will look into your suggestion!

If openings aren't the answer, then what is?

As IM pfren suggested: Tactics and positional basics. I am not so sure about the endgame skills (unless we are talking basic stuff) as you have to get to the endgame first before you can employ those skills.

Personally, I think your rating has gone high enough to at least look at a couple of openings you like to play. Even though you may not get the finer points simply being aware of traps and memorizing lines that get you into the middlegame is progress. At some point it has to be coupled with positional understanding of the opening otherwise it is futile.