Hi Snoekie!
My own take on this is if your game runs fine without the patch then don't fix it. There are advantages to having a bit more cash in the early game than you can easily earn - guild memberships and training not to mention better equipment.
The patch fixes the way the game runs - your save files just document where you were when you saved - so your saved games will work with the patch should you decided to install it!
(Thanks for remembering, Ryanamur!
)
Wyv