During the early lvls it is oh so very important to remember to wear your signet, that way you can collect crystals and sell those on AH by the stack. If you can kill goblins you will most often get fire and/or lightning crystals, both of which sell very nicely. Additionally, if you're from Windurst, hunt for crawlers. Their silk sells very fast for alot of cash, and as well the drop these little stones called "Crawler Calculus", or something or other, which you can trade in 3 for 600Gil @ the Dalmhel (sp?) farm in Windurst Woods (you know, those big preggo mutant giraffe looking things).

As always, if it's your first time through the levels on your first character, chances are really good that just doing as many quests around your home town will get you most, if not all the money/equipment you'll need for the first few. Afterwards, it's time to lay down a big slice o patience and farm farm farm. Welcome to FFXI