What’s the best way to earn money early in RDR2?

Earning money early in Red Dead Redemption 2 can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can build a solid financial foundation. One of the best ways to start is by looting enemies and exploring the world for hidden treasures. After completing missions or random encounters, always loot the bodies of fallen enemies. They often carry cash, jewelry, or other valuables that can be sold at fences. Fences are special vendors who buy stolen or illegal goods, and they can be found in locations like Emerald Ranch, Saint Denis, and Rhodes.\n\nAnother effective method is hunting and selling animal pelts. Early in the game, you can hunt animals like deer, rabbits, and boars. Use your bow or a rifle with the correct ammunition to ensure clean kills, as damaged pelts sell for less. Take the pelts to a trapper or a general store to sell them. The trapper, found in Saint Denis or near Riggs Station, offers better prices for high-quality pelts. Additionally, you can craft valuable items like satchels at camp using pelts, which can save you money in the long run.\n\nTreasure maps are another excellent way to earn money early on. You can find treasure maps by looting enemies, purchasing them from strangers, or discovering them in the world. For example, the first treasure map, ''Jack Hall Gang Map,'' can be obtained by helping a stranger near Flatneck Station. Follow the clues to locate the treasure, which often contains gold bars worth $500 each. These bars can be sold at a fence for a significant cash boost.\n\nCompleting story missions and side quests also provides a steady income. Early missions like ''Polite Society, Valentine Style'' and ''Money Lending and Other Sins'' reward you with cash. Additionally, side activities like bounty hunting or helping strangers can yield monetary rewards. For example, in Valentine, you can help a woman being harassed by a drunk man, and she will reward you with money or items.\n\nFinally, consider robbing trains or stagecoaches for quick cash. While risky, these activities can be lucrative if done carefully. To rob a train, board it at a station, wait until it’s in a secluded area, and then threaten the passengers. Be mindful of the law, as getting caught can result in hefty bounties. Alternatively, you can rob stagecoaches by ambushing them on the road. Sell the stolen goods at a fence to avoid suspicion.\n\nBy combining these methods—looting, hunting, treasure hunting, completing missions, and robbing—you can quickly accumulate wealth in the early stages of Red Dead Redemption 2. Focus on exploring the world, interacting with NPCs, and taking advantage of every opportunity to earn money.