So, not a big deal, but I thought I'd follow up. Started a new kingdom, finished the tower, I have no cash problems.
Now, I'm nowhere near "finished". I don't have all the gods, have only done a few class challenges, one guild still isn't level 3, etc etc. But at no point was I forced to grind it out for cash.
Having said that, while I wasn't trying to do anything optimal like sidestepper (I don't know where the gods show up, or how best to advance everything), I am very familiar with the game, this is my third play through, and while I don't consider myself an expert, I didn't die a ton, so I wasn't throwing away money on dungeon runs a lot. There is probably some room for bringing down the cost of guild upgrades; someone mentioned 750 and 1500, that might be more reasonable.
On the other hand, it's a hard game. Or at least that's what I think the alpha would always say when you died...