So here's my solution that should help me get through this era:
Focusing on goods production mainly, because the tech tree is insanely expensive.
Oases are awesome for me, because they give goods and population.
Witch Doctors add happiness, so that also helps keep the enthusiasm.
The rest of my summer event tickets will go to renovation kits, already preparing for the next era.
- Sacrificed my Statue of Zeus, because there's no more use for it since I've become a pacifist
- Upgraded the Speaker's Corner with a renovation kit, so it gives more population, enough to support two normal goods buildings.
- Upgraded the queens from ME to TE, which doubles their coinage.
- Finally pulled out the Mad Scientist's Lab from my inventory, and upgraded it, for even more free current-age goods.
I currently stand at 95 excess population, and 22 excess happiness. It all fits nicely
Next update expected in 6 months I guess... until then, happy farming