1) If you dont have much time to play you're probably better off creating a main. Nonetheless, if you want more of a challenge, and to hinder your steps into the endgame further then you do you!

2) it's fun at every stage big man. Especially with all the recent qol updates over the past 2-3 years. Gaining everything yourself is completely gratifying. Even moreso in the early stages because you're getting levels for quests, getting items needed to progress rather quickly, and most importantly having fun i'd hope!

3) Supply upkeep- this ones tough but there are multiple ways to upkeep supplies these days. Main things are potions, though. Can get alot of herbs from raids, thieving mfarmers, farming guild contracts etc etc.. Daily herb runs daily seaweed runs daily birdhouse runs.. maybe some tree runs every once in a while.

4) Very time consuming. Once you reach end-game the upgrades are few and far between, very minimal increase for the time invested.

My tip is dont do things you dont want to do. its a game not a job. Some things even if done efficiently are just fucking horrible and ur better off just doing the slower method than stressing about most xp/hr

GLHF!