I feel ya on some of your trading woes. As far as T1 goes, all you can do is be patient, and you'll eventually start getting playsets. You just need the discipline to not trade anything you know you'll be trading back for.

To get cards you have to realize and tap into your resources. For me that means I have a casual group I can visit at college, I know some friends at home who will have T2 stuff I need to get. I know which stores to go to and when to meet up with people that have older stuff, etc. Just take the time to try and find as many new card stores, groups to play with. Build your trading resources.

Also it may be in yout interest to look into something like MOTL (magic online trading league). You can find most things you're looking for, but getting them is another issue. Either way, it's another good place to get cards.

Hope some of this helps.