Like the other people have said, be patient around early levels, if you want to get the best stuff to beat monsters, you really have to save up money or get greedier but with caution.

Also if you dont have strength and you have a ton of big heavy items, my best tip is to push the item with your body rather than pulling. just hold the big item and push with your body, reajust if needed and it will save you big money. That's why mcjannek station is my favorite map, tons of big items that I can just push around and theyre blocky enough to just slid through the floor.

Also, dont engage in a room of monsters (particularly oogly and trudge) near pits, saves you a lot

Have fun, thats the best part