I never skip anything. The only thing I've done differently from the first release is to resist the gf's bbc thing (and if that's grounds for a game over, I'm not interested in continuing anyways). I always end up just like 50 bucks short of the $650 payment. That's why I'm so confused and frustrated. I haven't missed a single day of work and I still can't cut it.
Hey MaskofMirth! Avenues to generate cash are low at the start of the game. Those first few payments can be dicey!
The good news is that pushing back against your girlfriend’s lust for BBC is not grounds for a game over or a sudden ending! The loyal girlfriend path is a perfectly valid way to play the game, and will continue to be supported. Just wait until you see what you and a loyal Susan get up to in v0.3...
But really I encourage you to do both Susan routes, eventually. Unless one really turns you off, they’re both pretty sweet.
As for your early game cash woes, I have two bits of advice. First - make sure you work at the Cauldron every Tuesday, Thursday, an Saturday evening. I don’t care if your grandma is on her deathbed or your cousin’s getting married - go to work, dress like a girl, and make easy waitress money.
Two, when Katie asks you to get a pair of panties... don’t. If you play the game as fast as possible, Katie asks you to do this on a Thursday. On Friday, if you don’t own panties, you steal Susan’s for free, and get +$200 for completing an achievement. That’s like $250 in value. That should keep you alive for that $650 payment.
I hope that helps. Push through the early game! It only gets better from there...