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| How to Make Money in RDR2 |
How to make money in RDR2 fast using legit methods. Learn the best ways to earn cash and gold in Red Dead Redemption 2 without glitches.
If you’re wondering how to make money in RDR2, you’re not alone. Money is essential in Red Dead Redemption 2—from upgrading weapons and horses to unlocking better gear and surviving the harsh frontier. The good news is that Rockstar built multiple legitimate, reliable, and still-working ways to earn cash, whether you’re playing Story Mode or Red Dead Online. This guide breaks down the best money-making methods, focusing only on strategies that remain effective and up to date.
Understanding Money in RDR2: Cash vs Gold
Before diving into methods, it’s important to understand RDR2’s economy:
- Cash is used for weapons, supplies, horses, and upgrades.
- Gold bars are extremely valuable and can be sold for large amounts of cash.
- In Red Dead Online, gold has additional value for unlocking roles and content.
Knowing this distinction helps you prioritize the most profitable activities.
Main Story Missions: The Foundation of Early Money
One of the most reliable ways to make money in RDR2 early on is simply progressing through main story missions.
Story missions:
- Offer consistent cash rewards
- Unlock new money-making opportunities
- Introduce access to better weapons and areas
While the payouts may seem modest at first, later chapters significantly increase rewards. Rockstar intentionally designed story missions to prevent players from getting stuck without resources, as confirmed in official gameplay explanations on the Rockstar Games website.
Tip: Always loot enemies after missions—small amounts add up quickly.
Looting and Selling Valuables the Smart Way
Looting is one of the most overlooked ways to make money in RDR2.
You can sell:
- Jewelry
- Pocket watches
- Belt buckles
- Gold nuggets
Instead of selling valuables immediately, hold onto them until you unlock a Fence. Fences pay significantly more than general stores. Once unlocked, you can sell stolen goods and valuables legally through them, which is far more profitable.
According to long-standing community-tested mechanics documented by reputable gaming outlets like IGN, fences remain the best vendors for high-value loot.
Treasure Maps: High Risk, High Reward Cash
Treasure hunting is one of the best ways to make money in RDR2, especially for players willing to explore.
Treasure maps can be:
- Found on NPCs
- Earned through exploration
- Given as mission rewards
Each completed treasure hunt can reward:
- Gold bars
- Large sums of cash
- Rare items
A single gold bar sells for a massive amount, making treasure maps one of the fastest legal money methods in Story Mode. Rockstar Newswire has repeatedly highlighted treasure hunting as a core exploration mechanic rather than an exploit.
Hunting Perfect Pelts for Big Profits
Hunting isn’t just for survival—it’s a serious income source if done correctly.
To maximize profits:
- Hunt 3-star animals only
- Use the correct weapon for each animal
- Deliver perfect pelts to Trappers
Trappers pay premium prices and also allow you to craft exclusive gear. This makes hunting a dual-value activity—you earn money and unlock rare outfits.
Legendary animals, in particular, provide materials that can’t be damaged, making them a safe and profitable hunt even for beginners.
Robberies and Heists: Fast Cash with Consequences
Robberies are risky but rewarding. You can rob:
- Trains
- Stores
- Stagecoaches
- Homesteads
Train robberies and stagecoach holdups offer some of the highest immediate payouts, but they also raise your bounty quickly.
To reduce losses:
- Wear a mask
- Avoid witnesses
- Pay off bounties early
While robberies are exciting, they’re best used strategically rather than repeatedly. Rockstar’s wanted system is designed to scale aggressively, so reckless crime can cost more than it earns.
Side Missions and Stranger Quests
Stranger missions are another underrated way to make money in RDR2.
These missions:
- Often pay more than early main missions
- Unlock unique items
- Improve immersion and reputation
Some stranger quests also lead to hidden loot locations or rare rewards, making them valuable beyond their cash payout.
Selling Horses: Ethical and Profitable
Horse selling becomes available once you unlock horse fences.
To earn more:
- Sell higher-quality or rare horses
- Avoid selling early starter horses
- Capture wild horses in higher-tier regions
Certain breeds sell for significantly more, especially when bonded before selling. This method requires patience but delivers consistent profits without bounties.
Red Dead Online: Best Ways to Make Money in RDR2 Online
If you’re playing Red Dead Online, money-making works differently.
Roles That Pay the Most
The most profitable roles include:
- Bounty Hunter (earns both cash and gold)
- Trader (steady income through deliveries)
- Collector (high payouts with map knowledge)
Rockstar regularly balances these roles, but official updates published through Rockstar Newswire confirm that Collector and Bounty Hunter remain top-tier for consistent earnings.
Daily Challenges and Events
Daily challenges are one of the most reliable gold sources in Red Dead Online.
Benefits include:
- Consistent payouts
- Streak bonuses
- Low time investment
Completing daily challenges regularly builds a steady income stream that compounds over time.
What to Avoid: Outdated Money Glitches
Many players search for glitches when learning how to make money in RDR2, but most:
- Have been patched
- Risk account penalties in Online
- Waste time
Reputable gaming platforms like GameSpot consistently warn against glitch-based methods, as Rockstar actively removes them.
Stick to legitimate strategies for long-term progress.
Pro Tips to Maximize Your Earnings
- Always loot bodies after combat
- Upgrade satchels early to carry more loot
- Combine hunting with exploration
- Use fast travel sparingly to save money
- Invest in weapons that improve hunting efficiency
Small optimizations significantly increase overall earnings.
Final Thoughts: The Best Way to Make Money in RDR2
Learning how to make money in RDR2 isn’t about one trick—it’s about combining multiple strategies. Story missions, treasure hunting, hunting perfect pelts, and smart selling through fences create a balanced and efficient path to wealth.
Whether you prefer a lawful frontier lifestyle or an outlaw approach, Red Dead Redemption 2 offers plenty of legitimate ways to get rich without exploits.
Ready to Level Up Faster?
Try combining treasure hunts with hunting routes and side missions for maximum efficiency. If you want deeper breakdowns of specific methods, explore more advanced RDR2 strategy guides and stay updated with official Rockstar announcements.
