Tubeless is 100% worth it. Weight wise you'll save between .3-.6 lb, which isn't bad.... but the performance is really the big improvement.
I personally prefer to stick with tubeless or tubeless ready tires. Non-tubeless tires don't really have any benefit... they'll soak up so much sealant that they're the same weight as a tubeless tire, but dont have the right bead.
for the Fork... keep your eye on eBay and mtbr classifieds. Should be able to find a nice/quality Fox Float for $300-$400.
What kind of trails do you ride?