I actually do ok in this regard(with Germany),
I spend 8-9 points a turn until I attack Russia in spr41. The first thing I do is go for
a)tank evade
b)tank attack
c)plane move
d)plane vs plane
e)sub evade and
f)torpedo.
Not all at once, set priorities, get the tank evade and tank attack before you attack Russia if you can, after 1 or 2 turns you should have plane move and plane fighting. Every turn put at least 1 point into sub attack and torpedos and after your first evasion and attack for tanks,pick one, not both, evade or attack and concentrate on that followed by attack or evade for inf from that point on, I don't bother with any more research because it sucks too much, but by the time you get the majority of this you should have russia pushed back. Go through Yug, and NW corner(always forget the name) and pincer them.
just my 2 cents, different strats for different people. of course, I need help with Japan
