There are enough things to discourage new players in this game already without having this on the list.
Sounds like a joke to everyone playing a bit longer... New players have it way too easy compared to the old times. You are just weak, that's it. I can understand those thoughts when being new, the gameplay is hard to adapt to during the first time, grinding might not be to most people's liking, the xp gaining looks a bit low as well at the first look.
But after time you are getting used to it. Upkeep is also too low imo, could 30-60% more if you ask me. Would be difficult with plate then, but plate and really heavy armor should really be rare anyway as well as heavy armoured horses.
Anyway, it is quite simple to save gold. There were lots of examples already mentioned in the thread. I once played a gen with a full plate set up and 2h, which made the total upkeep being at 4,395 gold and worth 62,832 gold of gear (Plate Mittens, Gothic Plate, Sallet with Visor and Coif, German Greatsword and Cased Greaves). I finished the gen with a plus of around 10,000 gold. Of course I paid quite often and had also some x5 streaks, but after all I guess I had usually around x2 all the time.
I wouldnt do this again as I currently dont have the gold for that, or the patience to be that slow so I would indeed go with a less heavy armor, Sarranid Guard Armor at max considering the weight and upkeep.
Bec is a nice weapon as it is easy to spam and get some kills with that high pierce damage. There are many weapons doing as much as damage as well for really low upkeep. Take for example the Military Fork, its upkeep is really low. Still it does 28 pierce damage with the thrust. Of course it also only has 2 attack directions but it is still a strong weapon. Same for the battle fork with just a bit more upkeep but also 32 pierce damage.
Other Example: The Long Axe, still 115 Length, but 42 Cut Damage and 485 gold upkeep, thats nearly 300 less than the Bec and it is still a powerful weapon, though not used that often as most people dont really care about the upkeep and rather take some dmg more instead.
Regarding the armor it is also easy to save some gold. Your armor set-up is a good middle way to go, I would use that gear from level 24/25 upwards. Before that you can save a lot of gold, example: Tribal Warrior Outfit, Rus Cavalry Boots, Mail Mittens and some 30+ Armor Helmet. That is a decent setup, you dont die 1hit and you save gold. The little things change a lot.