Henry the level of your housing affects your tax revenue. Low level housing pays so little in tax it not worth the forums. Palaces on the other hand pay huge taxes. Placement of forums is important usually one forum won't cover an entire housing block. Just as one school usually won't cover an entire block.
Money in the early stages of every level of the game is made by export trade. Finished goods draw the highest prices weapons the most of all. Don't import finished goods ever if you can avoid it. Exporting food is pretty poor paying. It actually cost more to grow food than you make on export. If you have to import at all make it raw materials one level you can import iron and export weapons. That's a good deal. Marble is another good product cause all you have to do is mine and store it.
Hope this helps with your money woes
Cherub NeferMouse
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