The nightclub jobs are not working yet so quit that and choose one at the Diner or Robot Factor. (If you chose bother you always seem to wind up at the robot factory when taking a cab).
You wont get fired for missing work.
Higher skills mean higher payouts so learn what skills are associated with what activities.
tsomania.net is a must go-to website for information on most everything in the game.
buying items from player-run shops is considerably cheaper than buying stuff from buymode.
Yes, clothing is omigawd expensive. You'll feel differently about those prices soon when you've got money in your pocket, though.
You do not NEED a house. People everywhere invite folks in, feed them for free and let them hang out. All bonus in addition to the lot's real purpose (Something a lot of the 'old timers' seem to forget so you'll see people expecting this stuff as a matter of course. Don't be that guy LOL)
You can also move into someone e else's house. You should find out what is expected of you if you do. Sometimes they are just giving you a place to stay because why not? Other times they are looking for someone to work in the house for X number of hours per day.
Don't cash in someone else's [solo money object product].
Don't try to get every skill; Specialize. Getting every skill means a lot of skill upkeep and is generally not viewed as worth the effort.