Some puzzles credit +1, 2, 3 while others add +0. At the same time each adds money to my total. Is this normal?
Yes. To move up in rank, you have to get at least as many points as the one who currently holds that rank. When you finish a puzzle, you can look at the points of the one ahead of you to see what the difference is. For example, right now there are 1320 points between me and the one above me. I’m doing hundred point puzzles, so I know I need to do 14 puzzles to move up 1 rank. Of course, if he does some puzzles, his number will go up, and I will need to do more to advance.