being able to craft metal and gunpowder at 40% science and then able to make and sell off ammo (complete list on wiki...) is a nice way to start... I wanted with several characters specifically NOT to shovel shit so I used those other ways... and they worked... You know actually that you understand basics... when you make a seventh character ( for us not so intelligent ones....) and start laughing when somebody tries to steal... and you have nothing... and you know how to protect your stuff.... and you do your best and it usually is enough. And for me it is revenge a thing that makes me tick... Now I just make sure that I never get those last xp before leveling up from shoveling.... my trip...
Today at my home I made apricot jam just because it means nothing to me to stand in front of a stove when I am spending so much time in front of a virtual distillery. It helps build character resilience, your character resilience.