Not Sure...

[Deadhuntr]

They are easy at start but you will get in dept if you will expand from turn 1.

And there inlies my problem. I've tried expanding everywhich way by turn 4 (every town w/in 2 turns from starting) and I always seem to get into -7k debt...and cant get out...take 1 seattlements and disband what I dont need to defend was going to be my next attempt. If that didnt work I'd have no idea what I am doing lol.

[LorDBulA]

This is how my current Getai game started.
With my starting force I captured province to the south "Thraikia Hypertera".
I was more then -10000 in dept at this point. I disbanded ALL troops, 1.5 years later (6 turns) I was in the black and started developing my 2 settlements.
With few buildings and mine I could afford army and I started to take more lands.