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One other thing I would add is that I find it difficult to play the tight is right strategy early on, as is generally recommended in the first few levels. The blinds come around much quicker obviously and I feel compelled to loosen up a little bit. Any comments on starting hands in the early stages of shorthanded SNG's?

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Hi. In early stages of 5 handed SNG's, I believe the following should normally be playable hands, even out of position:

AA KK QQ JJ TT 99 88 77 66 55 44 33 22

Suited and unsuited:
AK AQ AJ AT A9 A8 A7 A6 A5 A4 A3 A2
KQ KJ KT
QJ QT
JT

If you are very confident in your post flop play, then there are more. Of course, these are not all hands to call early all-in bets with, some of them should not be used to call large preflop raises, and most need to be played very carefully after the flop.

I personally prefer 9 or 10 handed SNG's, but still occasionally play a short handed game or two, now and then.

Have a nice night!