First of all when you're starting new to the game, the pie missions are handy for that extra boost of cash. You can get 8k from that without even trying. The first 2 "spend stamina" missions make money too. The "gift spins" missions also make money. That's about 19k off the top of my head, assuming you can get all of the gift spins.

I guess it just sucks for newer players that they redid the Gatcha right before Shards. Gambit and EG events make you so much more money.

It took me a few months to get to the point where I can dump 100k on NGatcha tickets when I need. And that was with a few small gold purchases. You have to miss a few things early so that you can make it big later.