I got lucky when I first started out, got into my linkshell (getsoutthehammer) and well they have all gave me stuff to help, from subjob items to scrolls, never gil though lol. So I have done the same, I am now level 21 rdm 10 whm, <<< always keep the subjob leveled lol.
Some of the old gear I have I passed it down to help others out.
But the best thing I have got from my linkshell is advice, when I wanted to go to Jeuno for the first time I had 2 level 75 BLM's come and guide me so I made it in one peice. Now i'm in Dangruff Wadi just getting some Gausebit Grass so I can get my chocobo, yeah I could of bought it from AH but they all advised me to get it my self so I did, died once there but they came to raise me and stayed untill I was full of gausebit grass, (thought i'd make abit of gill by selling it on the AH). Thats another thing lol I have dies so many times and there has always been someone willing to come and raise me, sometimes my full party lol.