Welcome to Planet Mule TopherGene!
Read the forum on new player information.
Do training to get the feel of the game.
Veteran players do not want new players coming in and ruining a game by quitting or not understanding basic play @ PM.
Reputation is all important here!  Most here will try to help you do better!
Be nice. Always have 90 minutes to finish a game, NEVER quit. Have fun.
When it stops being so much fun, take a break. Avoid those out to ruin your fun.
Always join my games, since I always let new players get free plots!

Here endeth the lesson.

Buying yourself out of first is not entirely true.
If you buy energy @ 200, you have that cash converted to equal value of energy for that rd.
Next round, the price of energy changes and the perceived value of those you own change with it.
Buying all the food, energy or smithore on round 1 will not put you in last for that round.
Only way to waste money is to buy a plot at a high price or crystite.

I think this is correct but I ask for input if wrong.

Have you considered using a second nic in a second window to show lobby chat on a second monitor or on spare space on the primary monitor?