I’m a freemium player and am managing to stay on track (slightly ahead) whilst not doing the friend taps and whilst grinding 4 times daily -sometimes 3. once the percentage gets higher, I’ll be able to relax a bit. Especially in the second and third act. I’m currently at 10%. Also I feel like I get loads of currency from digging as well.
These are definitely do-able without spending donuts on either premium buildings that generate currency or pick axes.
However you do need to stay on top of it, missing one full day can push you so far behind that it’s difficult to get back on top.
At least these have been my observations over the last few events.