I see you have all the answers! Thanks :D

Actually, the title is what brought me to this thread. I was being stupid in probably the same way. Since the thread didn't help, I turned to GOG support and got my answer there.

Just in case anyone else is reading this because they don't see Save or Load buttons (they're blank), here's the trick: stop looking for the buttons and just type in the name of a game you want to save. Once you get something typed in, the Save and Load buttons will magically show up.

I had been playing MOM for a long time, but I got confused when I updated the game and then reinstalled it. As long as you have any past game saved, the Save and Load buttons continue to show up. I was so used to seeing them that I forgot they don't show up when the game is brand-new.

Sorry, I should have stated this instead of justing editing the thread.
Thanks for taking the time to do so :)

Since it was not clearly stated earlier: you do not pay gold to build a unit or a building unless you hurry production. Building normally only requires that enough production points be accumulated to meet the production point cost, and production points are generated directly. This is different from something like Age of Wonders where you have to spend its cost in gold up-front and the city then converts the gold into production points.