I have turned a couple of bowls at school from one tool. It's a round carbide disk that can be turned by removing a set screw to get a fresh edge. It's the only good tool they had.
Now I'm about to buy a Harbor Freight lathe and I can only afford one tool. I was looking at the Alan Lacer tools and thought I could buy one of those monster skews. I could afford that but not another tool until maybe summer or so. I dont think a straight forward skew is a good idea. I want to turn bowls first. What tool do I need that will become part of my stable of tools later and also could get me there for a couple of months? I know I'll have to sand the crap out of everything because it won't be a finishing tool.
Budget is $100
Edit:
I have a grinder and am not afraid of sharpening these tools. I know a skew is a finicky tool and probably not a "first" kind of tool.