As for the contracts, if you're just jumping around a local area, it takes some time before the contracts get renewed. So if you're unlucky enough not to be offered any you either need to wait up to 2 months (game-time), or go to another part of the galaxy.
I can understand contracts being nonexistent at a handful (maybe 1-5) worlds for days or even 2 weeks gametime...but 2 months is rather crazy, especially if you have (or rather had) the highest cargo reputation possible. After 2 months your cargo reputation is probably destroyed.
