Re the street light - try to get the telescope in a position where you are in its shadow. At least, put your back to it or have hubby stand in its way (he does have a use!). More important is how much other light pollution there is illuminating the sky. You haven't given us a clue as to the type of location you are in - surburbs of a big city? But if you are seeing that nebula in Orion (probably M42 - the Great Orion Nebula - a bit above the line of three stars known as Orion's belt?), then the sky isn't hopeless. How many stars can you see with your eyes in the Southern Cross - four or five? Filters - maybe. Start with seeing what you can see before you spend more money.
Planisphere - good! Try also downloading this skymap - southern hemisphere version lower down the page. It suggests various targets.
http://www.skymaps.com/downloads.html