So, you're a noob, and you should read everything carefully! If you're building a level 7 structure at 200% efficiency, it's either an easy map or you're just a noob! I play on maps where all my money in the first week is 2-3 treasure chests and 2-3 resource piles, not 2 treasure chests a day, and not always enough stone and wood mines to build structures and creatures, not to mention 10 crystals!
Let's play a 1v1 Citadel mirror match, and I'll show you what's what!