at lvl 8-9 you can try to fight orcs right before the ghelsba outpost zone in ronfaure, or hit up the furmaroles in bastok..I'm not familiar with windurst region, so can't help you there. Q/M wise, if you're from Sandy then you have a few repeatable quests you can do if you want to get some rank pts/conquest pts. Quest wise, nothing off the top of my head,sorry. Check the Quests & Missions tab <----- over there on the side.
Reason I say orcs and such is that they drop fire crystals and other goodies that you can get exp from as well as cash. Getting cash through farming/mining/harvesting, or a craft will be your ways of getting money. See which one you like best.
At lvl 8 you should have full leather gear and be looking to upgrade around 10-11.