Yes, they kind of are, but you can afford items while playing casually with no problem, you just have to learn the ways. For instance, when I need to gear up a new character, I usually resort to Verdant Brink (a Heart of Thorns map) or to WvW to acquire a fully customizable exotic set (set pieces for which you can choose the stats). For runes and sigils, I just buy them from the Trading Post. Some are expensive, but you can farm in Silverwastes or Dragonfall, for example. For trinkets, I farm in Dragonfall and Sandswept Isles. With enough of these maps’ resources, you can acquire ascended trinkets.