Homesteaders

I picked up Homesteaders from SciFiGenre on Thursday past. I read through the rules that night but was not able to get a game in. I had to wait until Sunday to play a learning ‘solo’ game. I set it all up and played myself x 4. It was slow going. I ran out of $ and trade chits. That puzzled me. The game is easy but deep. Upon a re-read of the rules I found I had played two rules wrong. That’s why I ran out of $ and chits. The gameplay is straightforward but there is definitely a lot of strategy involved. I’m hoping to get another play through before taking it to game night. I’d like to know what is going on so I can teach it.