Any advice on how to keep the money flowing better?
In the early game, you make money through rewards in battle. I always start with a wizard or commander, and as the first, I use my money to push for getting my wizard to fireball. For the latter, I simply focus on getting the best second or third tier troop I like. Always set yourself an important goal that will raise the power of your combat stack. Think longterm. Once you get a powerful enough stack, grab a local county or two. If it looks like the inhabitants re going to get angry over time and you don't have the buildings researched to calm them down: oh, well. You'll just conquer them, once more. More challenge and experience for your stack.
Always explore your home county thoroughly first, because that's where the lowest level challenges can be found. The next level up will be with any county bordering yours, even if just a bit. Those levels of difficulty increase with every county border that intervenes between your home county, and the one you plan to explore.
Note where you start, and what's rare. If the surrounding counties are heavy on crystals but light on money, fund buildings that give you more money--and vice versa. If your counties are relatively balanced, and you're running a wizard hero, go for buildings that increase your crystal supply; a warrior hero, go for buildings that increase your gold. Typically, I've found warriors to be good in the early game, but problematic later on, when you face off against lots of spellcasters and the like. But it's up to you, of course.
Don't hesitate to sell things you don't think your first and second hero will ever use. You'll always find more in combat. On the other hand, save rare things, such as banners, or high level pieces of equipment with enchantments. Unless you get multiples of these, of course.
Hope some of that helps.
