What are some ideas to help make my gameplay better?

You could try living as homeless person, I am kind of doing that now and enjoying it so far. You'll still have lot expenses but they're marginal, if you have outdoor retreat you can use tent to sleep in at public lots like park once you afford it, place it's shower anywhere if you need a shower, mega cooler you can grab free quick meals and water/juice from and can use park grill to make other food. Not exactly on same level as having house in terms of food options, you can use the park toilets and sinks for last needs outside socials.

While it isn't like super challenging it does give like a different style playthrough, if you kind of forbid yourself from going to your lot. Instead rely completely on all other lots that are public access.