So, apparently there's not a conversion rate for gil-to-dollars. Also, motel managers don't seem to take gil, and get kind of pissed when you try to explain that the IOU you managed to talk them into a couple days ago won't be fulfilled for the foreseeable future.
Don't suppose anybody would let me couch surf until I find a job? And as an added bonus, this is blatant baiting for Ultimecia. No way would she leave an opportunity like that hanging.
ETA: For the record? A free apartment complex is one of the first things new people should hear about. Not something that gets found out when you're wandering around on the street hoping you're not going to have to check into a homeless shelter.