Well, I've just taken the time to level up, farm items to sell for gil, and get license points. Thankfully those fit in the same category.

I've managed to keep everyone at the same level (level 25), and I'm up to the mines where you find Mjrn (sp?). I also have all augements, most of the magic and a lot of armor (haven't bothered with techniques yet). Also, a Golden Amulet is great, because it gives you double LP gain.

So yeah, unless you really invest the time to treat this like a semi-MMORPG (by going out of your way to level and do all those things), then it might be hard to get through some things.