You need as many publications as possible if you want to have the best chance. So work your ass off, whore yourself out, just do what it takes to get as many publications as possible.
Financial: No clue, beyond the fact you will likely get a stipend from TAing that lets you live around the poverty line. But if you have funding from elsewhere (scholarship for any location, self-employed, family money) you may see some advantages during the application and the group selection process as you will not cost them money.