(NSG = No Sphere Grid)

So I thought I'd give it a shot, having done FF7 with no Materia, and once with no shopping or spending of Gil in any way (lotsa fun, that), and don FF1 with a single character party (which I'm never doing again, argh!)

Right now I'm just waiting for the cutscene in Kilika Temple to end, but it's going real well so far, but I have a question to throw in along with the usual discussion on NSG games that will take place: Even if Yuna doesn't advance on the Sphere Grid, does gaining Sphere Levels beef up the Aeons, or will I have to use the extra items to do that?

Tell us about your NSG fun here, or your other challenges!