I did this without planning for it; I just randomly decided at the start of the game to spend my 1000 free points on 2 Skill Level Beads. And the rest just followed:
Premium players only - at the start of the game, buy 1 or 2 Skill Level Beads. 1 will give you 3 EXP each time you use a skill; 2 will give you 5 EXP. (I don't know how effective this will be for Free players, but I imagine with a little trial and error you could do something similar; it would just take a bit longer to really kick in.)
1. Set the encounter rate to Double, and the difficulty wherever you want it. In every encounter, use skills on every turn. (Use Magic Sugar to restore your MP when needed.)
Only use a handful of skills for each character; that way those few skills can level up and gain more power. (I say skills but you can use skills or magic, whatever you like.)
2. Around the time you reach Coral City, you can also access the "back end" of Mount Garet (you don't go there as part of the story, but the dungeon is accessible.)
I believe Mount Garet has 4 Go ahead Gems (though hopefully someone can verify this for me; I know I had 5 of them total when I got the ship and I think 4 were in Mount Garet).
Anyway the Go ahead Gems give you a better chance of a preemptive strike, which will be helpful when you're ready to start grinding.
3. Once you get the ship (and open the Battle Arena), go through the Arena enough times that you can buy an Attract Gem (it costs 300 Coins.)
Now sail to any of the Gold Region islands (the diamonds on the map). Equip all the Go ahead Gems you have, and the Attract Gem, and if necessary put the difficulty on Easy. (Though you should be able to handle the enemies here on Hard, and possibly on Hell if your skills are strong enough.)
Stay here until you're around level 90, and the rest of the game will be a breeze. (Higher than 90, and you'll actually feel sorry for the enemies you encounter when you resume the story.)
* Disclaimer: I have not tested any of this as a Free player, nor have I tested it without the benefit of 2 Skill Level Beads. Nevertheless, I'm inclined to believe that this basic strategy could be used by anybody. (And if not, then I'm hoping that someone else can come along and offer a viable alternative.)
[img img=597]GoldRegions.png[/img]Attachments:GoldRegions.png
