I am happy to teach people I'll enjoy playing with how to to play because it really isn't a newb friendly game at all, at least if you want to really understand the mechanics which is what is required to get good.
I spent a lot of money over the years so naturally I do the monthly premium account so the grind isn't bad especially when you bounce between tanks, doesn't really feel like grinding to me when you get tired of one tank you just go play a different one or a different style.
I can't imagine actually trying to play this game without spending some money but some people manage to do it. That said I play it enough so the amount of money I have spent on it seems justified to me but I'm not poor either.