Get a cam!!!
In all seriousness(is that a word?), if you went ahead and installed a cam, then you only have to have it tuned once. LS engines like more cam, too. On the other hand, stock valvesprings don't like to be revved too far past 5200rpm, so new springs are recomended with a bigger cam, and depending on lift, maybe new pushrods. Being on a budget, the cam upgrade can get costly. A good ECM tuner will usually only charge once for an initial tune, then give free upgrades and retunes as you make mods or changes to the engine.