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| Red Dead Redemption 2 Best Way to Make Money |
Discover the red dead redemption 2 best way to make money with proven strategies, treasure hunts, gold bars, and story tips.
Money makes everything easier in Red Dead Redemption 2. From upgrading weapons and horses to unlocking camp improvements and outfits, cash determines how smooth your outlaw journey becomes. If you’re searching for the Red Dead Redemption 2 best way to make money, this guide breaks down every proven, efficient, and legitimate method—no outdated glitches, no guesswork.
Understanding Money in Red Dead Redemption 2
Before jumping into methods, it’s important to understand how RDR2’s economy works. Money is earned through a mix of missions, side activities, exploration, and risk-taking. Some methods are story-locked, while others can be repeated endlessly once unlocked.
Key factors that affect earnings:
- Story progression
- Honor level
- Time investment
- Risk vs reward
Knowing when to use each method matters as much as knowing how.
Best Early-Game Ways to Make Money (Chapters 1–2)
Early-game cash flow is slow if you don’t play smart. These methods give the best return without advanced unlocks.
Story Missions (Primary Foundation)
Story missions are the most reliable source of early money. Rockstar designed them to scale rewards as difficulty increases.
Why they matter:
- Guaranteed payouts
- Unlock new money-making opportunities
- No risk of bounties
According to Rockstar Games’ official Red Dead Redemption 2 guide, story progression is essential for accessing higher-income activities later in the game.
Hunting Perfect Pelts (Highly Underrated)
Hunting is one of the earliest repeatable income streams.
Best animals for money:
- Deer
- Buck
- Pronghorn
- Perfect wolf pelts
Tips for maximum profit:
- Use the correct weapon for clean kills
- Aim for 3-star animals
- Sell to butchers, not trappers (unless crafting)
Hunting also improves Dead Eye and provides crafting materials—double value.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Best Way to Make Money Mid-Game
This is where income scales fast if you know what you’re doing.
Treasure Maps (High Reward, Low Risk)
Treasure hunting offers some of the largest single payouts in the game.
Popular treasure chains include:
- Jack Hall Gang
- High Stakes Treasure
- Poisonous Trail
Each completed chain can reward $500–$3,000, making treasure hunting one of the Red Dead Redemption 2 best way to make money methods with minimal combat.
Rockstar officially confirms treasure rewards through in-game progression mechanics documented on their support platform.
Gold Bars (The Real Money Makers)
Gold bars sell for $500 each, and several can be obtained through exploration.
Best gold bar locations:
- Limpany (Sheriff’s Office)
- Train wreck near Cotorra Springs
- Strange Statues puzzle
Gold bars respawn only in specific circumstances, but even one bar early-game changes everything.
Robberies: High Risk, High Reward
Robbing is the outlaw fantasy—but it must be done smartly.
Train Robberies (Situational)
Train robberies can be profitable if executed correctly.
Pro tips:
- Rob tunnels or bridges to avoid lawmen
- Wear a mask
- Escape quickly
Poor execution leads to bounties that cancel out profits.
Store & Side Business Robberies
Some stores have hidden side businesses that can be robbed after discovery.
Benefits:
- Fast cash
- Minimal law response
- Often repeatable
This method shines mid-game when Dead Eye is upgraded.
Late-Game Money Methods (Chapters 4–6)
Once the map opens up, income potential skyrockets.
Story Heists (Top-Tier Earnings)
Major story heists offer the largest guaranteed payouts in the game.
Why they’re elite:
- Thousands of dollars per mission
- No grinding
- Essential to story progression
This is Rockstar’s intended primary income source for late-game players.
Selling Legendary Animal Parts
Legendary animals don’t respawn, but their rewards are massive.
Sell:
- Legendary pelts
- Craft trinkets for passive bonuses
- Increase hunting efficiency long-term
Legendary hunts combine profit with permanent character upgrades.
Passive and Repeatable Money Methods
Horse Selling (Strategic Flipping)
Wild horses can be tamed and sold at stables once unlocked.
Best breeds to sell:
- Arabian
- Thoroughbred
- Hungarian Halfbred
This method is slow early but profitable with high-value breeds.
Challenges & Completion Rewards
Completing challenges:
- Pays cash
- Unlocks reinforced equipment
- Improves stats
This is one of the safest long-term money strategies.
Honor Level and Its Impact on Money
Honor affects:
- Store prices
- Mission outcomes
- Discounts
High honor = cheaper supplies
Low honor = more robbery opportunities
Choose based on playstyle, but understand the tradeoff.
What NOT to Do (Money Traps)
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Paying off small bounties too early
- Random robberies in towns
- Selling gold bars before needing cash
- Ignoring satchel upgrades (limits earnings)
Efficiency matters more than speed.
Online vs Story Mode (Important Distinction)
This guide focuses on Story Mode.
Red Dead Online has:
- Different economy
- Role-based income
- Gold-centric progression
For official distinctions, Rockstar Games clearly separates Story Mode and Online mechanics on their official platform.
Best Overall Strategy (Quick Summary)
If you want the Red Dead Redemption 2 best way to make money, do this:
- Focus on story missions early
- Hunt perfect pelts consistently
- Complete treasure maps ASAP
- Collect and sell gold bars strategically
- Avoid unnecessary bounties
This approach balances speed, safety, and scalability.
If you’re early in the game, start treasure hunting now—it’s the fastest legal cash boost available.
Final Verdict: What Is the Best Way to Make Money in RDR2?
There is no single magic trick—but there is a best system.
The most efficient players combine:
- Story progression
- Treasure hunting
- Gold bar collection
- Smart robberies
That combination delivers consistent wealth without frustration.
Conclusion: Play Smart, Not Hard
Money in Red Dead Redemption 2 rewards planning, not chaos. The game punishes reckless behavior and rewards thoughtful outlaws. Follow the methods in this guide, and you’ll never struggle to afford weapons, horses, or upgrades again.
Put these strategies into action today and turn Arthur Morgan into the richest outlaw in the West.
