I've decided I want to get a few quests under my belt before going on to chapter three. I don't want to get over $15,000 where they start wanting me to go to the next chapter. I found a great use for my bounds of gold, temples. My main question is how much gold is needed for each increase and what is the final level. This is my guess (please tell me if I'm right or wrong): lvl12=800, lvl13=1000, lvl14=1250, lvl15=1500, lvl16=2500, lvl17=4000, lvl18=5000 and 18 is final level.

This is according to the table found in your manual (which I have found to be accurate) for increasing your reputation level

Cost Reputation Level
1500 1
1200 2
1000 3
1000 4
500 5
400 6
200 7
300 8
400 9
500 10
700 11
900 12
200 13
500 14
2000 15
2500 16
5000 17
-- 18
-- 19
-- 20

You can also aquire as much gold as you desire without progressing to the next chapter, the two are independent of eachother.

You should have no problems hitting 20 without wasting money in temples. My problem was keeping my rep below 19. *hint* you can increase your rep by AT LEAST 3 points just by doing the trademeet quests.