You will be capped at level 9 until you complete your Hallmark quest to choose a fighter subclass.
Fighter Training
http://eq2.allakhazam.com/db/quest.html?&eq2quest=400
This will happen again when you reach level 19, capped until you select another speciality.
Regarding gear, you have probably already found out how little coin you can get from mobs - none. You will only be able to sell the pelts, fangs, and dog-spit you loot. It took me quite some time to get my first gold piece together. Just trying to figure out how to frame it in my room. :)
To get cash to buy gear, best way is to go complete as many quests as you can. Most NPC's give quests, and will reward with some coin and/or an item. There are some quests that will reward armor or weapons.
If you are in a guild, there may be several members that have old gear they have outgrown, and would be willing to give them to you. (please don't /ooc "Can someone give me stuff?")Additionally, the artisans in the guild can make stuff for you. I am fortunate to get all my jewelry from our level 35 Jeweler.
Another way to make coin is to spend time crafting and create some of the basic items that the higher level folks need. A few that come to mind are: quills, paper, staves, inks, vials, spice, etc.
Use that Merchant Board in your house and sell the items when you are /afk for the night. You can also sell the stacks of harvested items you get throughout Antonica; lead, iron, elm, electrum, roots, belladona (tier 2), etc.
The higher tier the harvested item, the more in demand it may be.
Good luck!