Playing 1.5 years now and I'm a "low spender" spending 50-100 each month. Can't keep up with mid and big spenders they walk over you very easy. The game is fun, the social and strategy parts are amazing, but there should be a limit on spending, knowing friends spend 3-5k per month to stay on top. There is no way to keep up and once your lead spender stops spending, your alliance becomes mediocre...