Heh, and I'm only 18 and had someone tell me today that I was too old to be playing ... oops, I missed the magic cut off point. :P It's good to see that a wide range of differently aged people play this game.
Skills for the most part, but sometimes a mixture of both. The money is helpful for the skills and good armor, and frivolous items (yes, I'm talking about you, halloween mask that one day I shall be able to afford), but I have the most fun in the game raising skills, so that's what I usually do when I play.