So now in my New Game +, I've just finished the Money Festival at Day 58. Corruption currently 19/32. And I've got a slime at level 5, with Morph: Fire unlocked. Also, less notable but still helpful, this time I've bought a bunch of apples BEFORE getting the curse of greed, I picked up a couple emerald teas from the festival, and I've been buying the blessed waters as they become available so I'm saving money there in the long run. Overall not amazing, but significantly better than my first run.
... Oh, it just occurred to me, I've had the Potentia Rune for a while. I should have thought to use that earlier (and also unlock the area in the forest to get that star metal). Bleh.