Oh well, about the Cuirass... it all depends from play style and attitude as a player. If you have the patience to farm, then go for it. If you're not, no big deal: we know that the pentameld chest is not "necessary" at all. About the financial crisis, I've never been rich and when I started the belt, body and head my budget was like 600k. With one Spiritbond set (I was forced to buy pieces, since as you can see I have not crafting job levelled) you can get a Materia IV (det, chr and acc are in the same price range on my server 120-200k, sometimes I got two in the same set), or do full or half money to buy one. Plus the myth items helped a bit. I think, anyway, it depends from your server prices and economy that can really make the difference in this scenario.