I see no difference between steem and fiat, one just currently is more complicated to use than the other. Both of these things are just tokens of transactions.
I consider it my duty to spread as many upvotes around as I can although I do limit these or give percentage upvotes in order to keep VP strong. Voting gives curation rewards anyway, although I don't vote to get curation rewards, I vote if I like what I see/read or want to support someone.
I have been a proverbial penniless artist my whole life so I only cash out when I need something and I am working towards some bigger goals, not just funding my day-to-day life. Money is tight, but I can do that without Steemit. I'm saving my cryptos for some bigger projects