First - I started by saying "I don't wanna tell you how to do YOUR game", so take all this a a suggestion.
Second - I know he buys art for the game, and BECAUSE of this, wouldn't make more sense to buy FIRST the art for the most viewed/most played parts of the game? like the pair of bandits we fight since in-game day 4.
Third - wouldn't gear (very small images) cost way less than characters? therefore be able to get more done with the money available?
Fourth - I want to support him, I've been playing this game since the middle of last year and haven't loose a single update, but right now I'm unemployed so I just can't.
Not everything is a criticism...