Could you show us the picture of either of the lizards you're asking about? I'm afraid I can't do much good with the spiny lizard ID, but I can help a bit with the skink. I'm not sure how experienced you are with them so I'll just throw the basics down; I don't mean to insult your intelligence!
Blue-tongue skinks are awesome for beginners and advanced alike. They do need a bigger cage (preferably ~50-60 gal to be comfy, and the tank should be flatter rather than tall; they're not very good climbers) and UVB lighting, which adds up to a decent start-up fee. The $80 skink might need $450 in husbandry supplies, depending on what's included in the deal you'd work out with the seller. $80 is, however, a good price for a typical type of BTS (Northern or Irian Jaya). It's hard to say what species she has based on your description, because colors and patterns vary a good degree. It could also be a "mutt" of locales.
Maintenance-wise, BTS need to be fed more often than snakes (though people's feeding schedules vary). They eat fruits, veggies, and protein. We buy most of our skinks' food at the grocery store. Each individual has preferences, so try different things.
BTS have great personalities in my experience; though it sounds like you've already seen that first-hand. Once they get a little older, they will sit on the couch with you while you watch TV. They can live around 20 years.
The two BTS's we have are the favorites of our lizards, and I highly recommend them.
http://bluetongueskinks.net/ is a great resource for caresheets.
http://www.boneclones.com/images/ctom-02-lg.jpg
Above is a shingleback skink; could that be the textured looking one?
And this is one of my two! He's an Irian Jaya named Tiberius.
If you do decide to go for a BTS, you'd better post some pics!
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