Without money, it is difficult.

[hullabaloo]

i think you can do pretty well without tokens for the first few season - IF you end up on the right server.
I have a friend who doesnt buy anything and he's on a server filled with token buyers so he can never buy anyone from the TM.

another friend on the other hand buys players for 1 tokens every day.

[Chris Lau]

I think it is meaningless to win by buying tokens. Achieving your best without buying tokens is exciting and challenging.