For reasons that concerns none of you ENG stayed at extremely low stab for the first 20 years or so. Looking back it was probably an incorrect choice, well at least the last 5 or so of them.
Had to mint a lot to pay for missionaries, that was also bad. Stopped with that now.
Went for the barack in the army/naval reform event which caused some consternation around the game. Obvious choice if you ask me. The shipyard I can build myself quite soon and I cannot afford going to much naval because of the MP issues.
Friendly relations have been established with several nations. But Burgundy DOWed for Calais which they could have bought instead. However they kindly refrained from sacking London which was a sign of friendship.
However FRA also DOWed and then proceeded to attack my warship outside Curacao. I was on 50% maintenenance and he had 3 ships vs 1 but he still lost.

After that he demanded 300d because he "covered" Burgundy in that war. Well, he did not get it but he got worsened relations.
I then choose to increase stab and most of my increase in income stems from succesful trading the last 5-10 years of the session. All in all +9% inflation and nearly +50% income. Not that bad when put together.
Ah yes, the COTs in the East has been peacefully splitted between Venice, POR and ENG.
I am now looking forward to the Gresham event, I surely need it. Damned, that event was -10% inflation just one patch or two back.
And of course also my grand queen Elisabeth.
In almost every game I have played Russia has been retarded in infra. In this game they excel... Forzaa the magician and good start value apparently did good work.
And how is Aladar goint to keep his realm together with insane tech cost. Closing in on 3000d IIRC.
Myself I am moving the serfdom slider to the right. Presently around 600d in stab costs.