I wonder how complicated it would be to only force spending automation for "locked" players, players that haven't been doing in game spending. I think this is a more fair system for active players.

We will consider this. There are some checks in place that limit how much it will spend on your behalf already. If everything is on slow mode, it should only do one building and one claim per day, except for when you have aliens 'drifting'.

That could still be a little fast at some stages of gameplay.

I try to do that as strategically as possibly when the dowry is high to maximize the benefit.

Good to hear players are thinking strategically!