Getting wrecked in world war era financially

[Mr. Pain™]

So I'll start a playthrough and finish the colonel era just fine, and then in the world war era, my profitability seems to absolutely tank and i'll go into debt almost instantly.

Does the price of raw exports drop or something after you leave the first era? Should I go in with more money and industry first?

[Sapphire Bullets]

One thing to remember is that at the start of each new era your trade deals will reset, so check on the available deals until you get something good.

Also, yes, the price of exports changes a bit with each era.
I don't know for certain but I think the new industries introduced in each era tend to be the most profitable for that era.

I usually like to export sugar in the colonial era, then move onto Rum once I get to the World Wars period. Make a secure economy your first priority before worrying about crime safety/health and such.

[Lieght]

Never had this problem, a few cash crop farms make more than enough money to cover all new needs and to industrialize.

[Havan_IronOak]

Watch the opening few minutes of this video. It answers your questions more completely than anything else I know of.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3_87taLyp8&index=6&list=PLbCLzFKeiWkNeo_hwhcNA0u5aYDuIPjuC