Rule #1: NEVER buy gear from the AH.
Rule #2: Always loot grays, they add up.
Rule #3: Try not to start a crafting profession until post-60, it gets easier then.

Are you selling all your cloth? Buy your shamans the lvl 40 mounts. I'm at lvl 62 and I'm still a ways away from getting my epic ground mounts. Alot of multiboxers get them aroune 64-65.