In my recent early game with the Maks, I did disband the navy, but I kept the heavy cavalry - yes its a huge chunk of cash in the early game, but it is the decisive factor in battle - lock up the enemy with levy phalanxes, then send the cavalry about the flanks and repeated concentrated charges from behind will destroy any enemy. IMO, you need the cavalary to win crushing victories. Id disband any spare garrison troops and delay surplus buildings [like barracks - dont have cash to recruit anyway] rather than sacrifice these vital troops. Only free up cash for simple ports to try and repair the bank balance.

I ignored Phyrrus and headed south, bringing together the levy phalanxes, heavy cav and my best starting general, hit Athens, then Sparte - Chalkis I picked off later. I believe concentrating on KH is the best step as their lands are richer and will help more with the ruinous expense bills youll be running up. It also ends the possibility of a 2 front war, and allows you to extend north, east or west in security. Epirus will attack Pella from time to time, but they never took it.

You need to move fast - the heavy cav are not economically sustainable. From turn 1 you need to be either taking a city or moving up to take another city. Only recruitment should be cheap garrison troops which you should have ready on the turn before the conquest of the city so you dont lose time with your main stack.

Its quite doable though - Im about 15 turns in and the KH and Epirotes have been pushed out to Rhodes and Taras respectively, the bank balance is looking healthy and the construction of economy buildings is coming along nicely. Persevere:)