My MTT Finishes Are getting Better But I still Need Work

[Jewelcard]

In my last 2 $10 MTT on UB I have finished 3rd out of 271 (won $298) and 6th out of 207 (won $113), which I am not complaining about. My main problem is being close to the bubble and on the edge of hitting the rail, when we get down to making the money. These last two touny's after I made the final table then I would start to make gains to finish as high as I did.

My question is how do I increase my stack size early on so I have a decent stack when we get down to it? I am currently waiting for top starting hands and than pushing (a TAG player) but there have been times when I do not get the premium hands. In the last $30 tourny I played I finished 22nd with the top 20 paying. My best hand all night was KK and I only got that once. Any suggestions?
jewelcard

[Dumb Snowman]

[Aisthesis]