Just do all quest till you get to 2nd map.
Don't die so you will not need a lot of repairs. Before your gears get to zero, you already got a better one from quests. The weapon is the only item you will need to repair but not until it gets to zero. Just use the repair guy in every town, not buy repair.
You will get a lot of ale, sell them to market, not to shop.
If your lucky, you can have 1.5k to 2k when you get to 2nd map. Better drops there than in 1st map.