TBH, never had too much of a problem. I always go smarty-pants (because I'm a huge nerd who wants to be a wizzard! instead of something manly) and do a crapton of fishing. I don't waste money on tools (they pay for themselves eventually, but I stop worrying about money eventually) for the most part and only worry about getting the easy quests done (and hoping they're easy enough).
I "cheat" in that I only advance the plot when I feel ready. Need me to run fast and find the criminal? Too bad, I'm scavenging 12 bandit dens and making better armor first. He'll still be "about to escape" 4 weeks from now when I finish my Ancient Medium Armor and scavenge enough ancient wood to make a super-staff.
I *do* have to chase the suspension of loan payments, but making the first 2 payments is actually quite easy. Payment 3 or 4 is when I have to have gotten enough rep to advance the plot to the election cycle. Once that happens I'm coasting.