Hi!
I wanted to say that in the game it can be really difficult to get elixir, because the troops cost too many so you have to find someone with a lot of elixir to attack!!!
i have a proposal:
1- to have an opcion, if needed, to change the cost of the troops to gold, so that if you want to recollect gold, you let elixir in the cost of the troops, but of you need elixir you change the cost to gold.
2- the troops that doesn´t die in attacks can be recovered, as in boom beach.
I think the answer to your problem is to raid with cheaper troops and do it more efficiently. Also the 2nd point you made is very exploitable, not going to spend the extra time typing it because you can search an old thread and find out why.
1. build cheap troops. you don't need to make 6 healers and all wizards.
2. raid the abandoned villages. If you don't know what that is, google it.
3. raid more than once a day or you will just lose it when i come find you.