Minoura makes a truing stand you can often find for $50-75, sometimes re-branded. It's not as sturdy as the $200 monsters, but you can true wheels with it.

I generally go with Parks, with a few exceptions (such as truing stand and cable cutter). If Parks has two models, a "pro" and consumer models, the more expensive is often worthwhile. For instance, the high-end cone wrenches have nicely shaped and rubber-covered handles, which are much easier on the hands than the cheaper double-headed wrenches. Also, I've not regretted buying the "pro" spoke wrench; the four-sided grip doesn't slip on old nipples like the less expensive three-sided model sometimes does.