I'm still learning too...when I stop learning it'll mean I'm dead.
I understand about the financial situation there and that a few USD's will come in handy. If you need to take some that's ok. I always suggest to those who need to do so is that they take what they need, but immediately also power up the same amount. So, let's say you have 100 in liquid...Take 50 and power up 50 at the same time. That way when people look (and we do) we can see you're working to balance it out and are keen to support that blockchain. That will almost certainly add up to me handing out bigger upvotes to those who do that.
Don't worry about the whales, they'll do what they do. Besides, people that get those votes often take it for granted and when it stops, as it invariably always does, they have no real relationships because they've been fucken lazy. Do what you're doing, build real relationships...the rest will take care of itself.
You're doing well, just keep doing that and you'll be happy with your time here, and rewarded.
