Best way is to improve your crafter stats first. Concentrate on one, always gather patiently for HQ mats and get your own crystals. GSM is nice, trinkets are the easiest way players improve stats with less gil. Mats like rubellite, zircon, etc. are cheap if not easily mined. Earrings, chokers, rings and bracelets are simple to craft. You only need electrum or gold ore to make regular ones or for PvP. Don't let gil sit, spend it wisely on materia to improve your crafters gear. Unspent gil is a waste while your crafter has poor gear. Having all DoH at 50, 40 HQ is almost a sure thing once you meet the minimum CP/craftsmanship/control stat requirements to macro/use a reliable HQ rotation. Sell philo mats for now then go craft 1-2 star crafts later. Always craft with food, look for the one where your stats are lacking. Even veteran crafters spend gil on food for that one last push to ensure HQ for a good 30 minutes.