Elite Dangerous; ETS (w/ combat) in Space?

I feel you. In E:D there is this phase between starting and BIG money. You can get a Cobra MkIII pretty fast if you're just starting out but to get a FDLor Python for example it'll take quite some time. You should probably look into R2R/RTR and scan some earthlike's or waterworlds. It'll get you rather quick money. There are plenty of RTR guides online and sites that calculate the best RTR based ofyour system, range, jump range etc.