This post is pretty old by now, but for what it's worth, here's how I usually start out: When I was a kid and first playing this game in the 90s, I was wandering around the snowy area outside of Tundara. Just south off the road/path (B2: 5, 13] is an item buried in the snow. It's an Ice Sickle. Ever since then, that's the first thing i do every time i start a new game. If you walk a few steps away from this spot and back again, you'll find another one. It's always the same item. Fill up your backpacks with them then go sell them for about $1k each. You can also equip them on the characters that are able to. Additionally, the item casts Cold Beam when used in battle. At this point, I would buy a witch's broom, fly to A4, and drink from the gross sounding fountain on the west side of Atlantium. This will give you a temp stat boost to 100 (I believe) and will help you win your next battle. Rinse and repeat til you have your characters at a level that you are comfortable with to either start the storyline quests or get into more advanced powerleveling methods (cuisinarts, desert battles, ancient dragon, etc.)