1. Playing certain games, like, spinning the wheels, raise stats. It's slow ;(
2. There are rules to faerie blessing. If you level is not high enough, the faerie will just fly off and do nothing. It is related to your pet's level. Also, these blessing give battledome abilities, which are much different than stats.
3. Secret lab is SO worth it! It does raise stats unevenly, but they do go steadily upward! 5 hp in one zap is not bad!
4. I think Strength boost is very important, but Defense is equally so.
5. Check the calendar. Somebody provided a nice link to it
Lastly: I recommend
http://idb.finalhit.org/ The In Depth Battlepedia!
Weapons for a newbie that are cheap would be scarab ring, scarab slingshot, snowball wand, leaf shield, and a lesser healing scroll. Add to that a BD compatible healing potion like puce elixir and you are good to go!