I started playing splinterlands a month or two ago.  Its been quite a slow start as I didnt have much to invest, and it took me a while to get a hang of fighting.  I've been trying to figure out what is the optimum investment in the game for a noob, where funds are limited.  I've used a number of methods, but could do with some advice on what I should focus on for now.

![Cards.png](https://images.hive.blog/DQmYAwQz4hPm3y3tuyrpnYvhYh3ee77aW1R9bWRufyR2sZu/Cards.png)

 The methods I've used so far are:

 - Bought some low cost cards (to help increase card power for going up to bronze II - never got there yet !) - but also to gain SPS from the airdrop,
 - Staked any SPS I gained from the airdrop to get the staking APR,
 - Leveled up a few cards to level 2 to try renting them out in order to gain some DEC,
 - I bought a couple of packs (2 !) to help add cards, and also get me some credits for the card airdrop (got nothing yet - surprise surprise with only 2 packs bought !)
 - I've used some gains from Rising Star, to sell Starbits on Hive Engine to buy:
	 -  DEC (because it adds to the airdrop)
	 -  SPS (because I thought it might help with the staking APY - but as I hold it on Hive Engine I'm not sure if it does)
	 -  SPT (because again it adds to the airdrop)
 
![L2 Venari Seedsmith.png](https://images.hive.blog/DQmbg5zErcf5FHJLRmPVdNh3JB8ZeuuhezZ7iTZbWjmDS5F/L2%20Venari%20Seedsmith.png)
Venari Seedsmith is one of the cards I took to L2 to rent out and gives me 0.214 DEC/day (my highest earning card)


So I feel I'm probably spreading myself a little to thin across too many things, and probably should focus on 1 or 2 actions at first.  So I'm keen to know what people think.  

My initial aim is to grow, via re-investment, to increase earnings.

So if you were a noob again with limited funds, using the experience you've gained so far - what would be the one or two things you would focus on at first to put yourself on a decent growth footing ?  Really keen to now !