Well.The game isnt supposed to be so grindy.Although WM (the throwing stuff/placing not swordfighting) and chakra medic are one of the most grindy thing to play as (i was kinda mix of chakra and int medic.Kinda worked weirdly enough XD).
As what we do to buy tools.Usually the best way is to go at takumi and buy 100 for like..200 ryo? (maybe was even 50 i dont remember,what i do is that takumi or just the rogue village had npc with very cheap prices).
Anyway back to the topic.How i get money for them is usually grinding very weak enemies (surely is boring but works).And yeah,most of the stuff ya listed is right as ways.
Long story short,Yeah Chakra medic is very grindy due to the nature of how drops/missions/anything worth ryo works.Any other element/non element besides WM tools and that arent grindy af due to them not using items for its jutsus