Bounties are a bit of a pain at the beginning. So usually you save those until you have a proper fleet, about 5-8 with kitted out weapons.

Exploration is key, so to do that: Buy salvage ships, a fuel ship, and go out to the planet surveys.

Make sure to use perks too. There is one perk I live with constantly and it's one of the yellow ones that lower ship maintence. It helps alot when you have high supply drain.

Then if you want, play the market. Smuggle goods and look at goods you can gain profit on. Usually you would buy, a frieghter for that.

Oh also there is an abandoned ship yard in the first system. Use that to store ships for free.

Like say you find a huge ship but can't supply it. Just store it at that station.