What is the point of gold in D&D Essentials?

I just got the new D&D Essentials, and you start of with 300 gold pieces. That is fine and dandy, but so far I don't see anything to buy with said gold, I and read through the quests in the red box. You get more gold but there is nothing to spend it on. I also thumbed through the rules compendium at a local comic store. While I wasn't exactly looking for items to buy with the gold, I don't recall seeing anything. So what is up with gold in the game? Does it become important after 5 levels?