personally, i got my military to level 10 and started dumping the points into resistance because, to be honest, its not worth it to do anything else right now!!! manufacturing offers belt repair, some other careers offer healing and reduced hosp times, and if you like to attack in gang wars, you got that too. also, some careers can affect jail times! but some careers (martial arts, military, athletics) have NOTHING going for it in regards to skills, so whats the point? bonus dex, res, and end. politics also really helps in the rep, which its more useful for than the reduced bails IMO.
i'm really glad my guides have helped you all and kept you guys interested in the game, and rayne, i had the SAME issues when i was starting. thats why when i joined a stable gang, i secured a quick loan to get a 600k villa by the time i was level 12 or so. getting that gym early on and getting a higher level early on are both important, more important than good early weapons and armor IMO. the training and the levels are permanent, the weapons can come in later. same w/ career promotion levels
and with that being said, i'd love to see more permanent career bonuses. for instance, hitting level 15 martial arts giving you a +5% bonus to dodging as you've become an adept martial artist (dexterity), or something like that... something really worthwhile. i mean, for the 2 years it'll take to get there, isnt that fair and worthwhile?