Getting back into the game after a long while, any level-up/leaf ticket/etc. advice?

[thecheese103]

I don't think I've played since early 2018, but there are definitely a few things I'm looking for some information on:

1. I definitely want to unlock my favorite villager, Octavian. I'm level 33 right now and notice I'm pretty much just getting 2 unlocks per level. Am I in for a tedious grind or is there a way to get to specific characters earlier? And what are the best level-up strategies? So far I'm doing requests (holding onto most of my request tickets though, should I use them?), and going villager to villager to talk to them to get points as well.

2. I love frogs so I've been going through Lily's fortune cookie gacha, got most of the items I want so far. Are there better ways to get Leaf Tickets that I'm not aware of? Is it ever worth buying them with real currency?

3. Stamp Cards: This is probably obvious, but I imagine I should wait until the last day or two/when I'm done spending Leaf Tickets, incase I pull everything I want naturally? I'm trying to get the Hydrangea/frog stuff, specifically that 5 star Gazebo.

 

[Chouchou]

Levelling up is the best way to get leaf tickets (10 per level). You are at level 33, so growing should be fairly easy.
My best tip for levelling up is do all the task with villagers and get them over the edge with the little food items you get from guilliver and maps. A good way to get a lot of money is getting the 50k bells maps.
Upgrade your ornaments asap because you can level up villagers faster.