I just bought the highest, cheapest stands I could afford at that moment. I think one is a 13 or 15 footer that cost me $50 or so. It's got a huge base spread, thick tubes and since I only use it around eight feet or so it's really sturdy and is fine with a boom. And unlike a C stand, it folds into something that I can easily carry and isn't particularly heavy.

And sand bags. Sand bags for EVERYTHING.