What are my less expensive options for getting started with CPLDs
I much prefer the Altera MAX II CPLDs to those from Xilinx. They are actually small FPGAs, but Altera keeps quiet about that. I've designed my own PCBs for Xilinx and Altera CPLDs, it's quite easy. Low-cost programming cables for both Xilinx and Altera devices are available on Ebay, I use them with FPGAs and don't have any problems with both Xilinx and Altera parts. At the prices asked it isn't worth making your own any more.

Altera's software is much easier to use than Xilinx's. I'd download the software for the devices you are thinking of using and try it before making a final decision.