Coming from EQ1 where the streets are paved in plat :) I had the same "omg" reaction when I first started EQ2 with regard to money.
First, realize that having 1 silver or 1 gold means a lot - it's not a pittance like in EQ1. I've seen enough comments such that having ANY plat in this game is a treat.
Second, I feel that you should take some time every now and then to make food and drink yourself (perhaps have a toon that is a provisioner). That will save you from having to buy the stuff. At tier 1 (the lowest/easiest level) you can make cabbage soup that lasts 4 hours, deer jerky that lasts awhile, etc. Drink, I've found, doesn't last as long... nutmeg fizzlepop is one that is an hour or so.
Third, I've found so far (i.e. in the early game) that you will tend to get (what I consider) decent equipment (well, armor) by doing quests. In Willow Wood, there is a higher level quest (the last I did) that gives you a pretty good weapon. I presume that other starting zones have similar quests.
Fourth, again, quests. They also give coin. Don't forget about wholesaler quests (i.e. tradeskill quests - you make stuff). They give SILVER and status in the guild (not sure what value status is really).
Fifth, is - as mentioned - selling stuff. You can get a "seller" board (can't remember exact name and where to get it right now). And you stick it up on the wall in your apartment. You CAN sell while you are offline!! There is a vault - try to get/make backpacks or elm strong boxes (I've made some... not hard, just tedious) so that you can put more than two things into the vault. Now, when you get some loot or quest item that you can't use, you can try selling it. I've found (on Everfrost server) that sometimes I don't feel like it's worth selling things. If undercutting by others means that I'd have to post an item at 5silver or less, I don't bother and sell it to vendor. The other tack I've taken is "to heck with it" and I post my stuff at the price I think it should be relative to other items. I've still sold stuff that way. The biggest money maker I've had so far is spells/abilities (adept III and IV I think). I sold one for 5gp (which I feel was under-priced but such is the market) and another for one gp. I've also sold armor pieces for 15-25 silver (again if you compare stats, underpriced but again the market).
Selling items is, so far, the best way I've made money. I've heard that as you level, loot becomes decent; I know for a fact that tradeskill quests for your guild get better (23silver now at tier 2); and if you raise your tradeskilling, you may be able to make and sell items.
As for performance, that's pretty much been said elsewhere. If you don't want to spend money, don't be too "proud"... drop those various video and sound, etc, options and play the game (even on high perf settings, the game graphics are way better than what I saw in EQ1). If you have money, try RAM upgrade first (to 1Gb), try video card second (but don't waste money on anything less than a newer card optimized for DirectX 9 meaning the nVidia Geforce 6xxx line and I'm not totally sure what cards for ATI - I have a 9800Pro which I believe is DX9 optimized).
PS: something else I'll mention. It took me awhile to discover... you CAN share money between toons under some restrictions (like same server, they must be of same alignment, etc). You do this via the in-game email system. In fact, I just sent 1gp to a new toon the other day.
PPS: [Ack... what's going on with this edit thing??] I keep 10sp on me and bank the rest (coins have weight in this game). I think I have 2-3gp in the bank but have spent 5-6gp on my apartment and have loaned 1gp to a new toon.
Edited, Wed Jul 13 11:37:34 2005 by bsellick
Edited, Wed Jul 13 11:43:55 2005 by bsellick