>get a bunch of blood echoes from killing enemies and bosses
>get a few blood vials from killing enemies
>spend blood echoes on weapon upgrade first
>spend on levels
>spend whatever i have left on blood vials
>do this as early as i can to stockpile a fuck ton before they get more expensive
>don't have to worry about it for the rest of the game
I prefer estus because I don't feel like it's a very important mechanic to have the limited stockpile of vials, but doing this has made it so i don't have to worry about it