I think it's best to view 2NL (and to a lesser extent, 5NL) as an internship--you're there primarily to get your feet wet and build a stable base for learning so you're not dead in the water when the time is right for you to proceed, and as a bonus you make a little money (but not a lot, you're a rookie intern!).

Expecting the money to fall from the sky at these stakes is ridiculous...know why you're there first and foremost.