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How to Make Money in Red Dead Redemption 2 (Fast)
Get rich in RDR2! Fast money tips: Missions, robberies, hunting & treasure. Your ultimate guide on how to make money in Red Dead Redemption 2.
At the start of Red Dead Redemption 2, Dutch Van Der Linde and his gang find themselves on the run and out of pocket. Having fled Blackwater with barely any cash to their name for having buried it on-the-run from the law, it falls to your character Arthur Morgan to add to the funds for the escapee camp you and your ilk are a part of.
Money makes the world go round in the game, being necessary to buy better camp equipment, pay off expensive bounties, upgrade your gear and do myriad other cash-required elements of the game-world. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to earn it.
Here are some of the fastest ways to make money in Red Dead Redemption 2. With this guide you'll discover what to sell, how to steal, who to steal from, where to search and other tips to help you afford the finer things in life.
Earn cash by playing missions
© Rockstar Games
01
RDR2 Money Essentials: What You Need to Know
Before you start chasing bounties or digging up treasure, you need to understand how money works in this world. Red Dead’s economy isn’t static – it shifts with every chapter, every upgrade, and every decision.
Prices, inflation and reward scaling by chapter
Money means different things depending on where you are in the story. In Chapter 2, ten dollars feels like a windfall. By Chapter 6, it won’t cover your bounty. Weapons, fast travel, and provisions all get more expensive as you move forward. Enemy drops get better too – but only slightly. Your financial planning needs to evolve fast.
Gold bars vs cash: exchange rates, limits and when to use each
A gold bar sells for $500 at a fence, making it one of the best high-value items in the game. You’ll find them hidden in burnt buildings, deep in caves, or as part of treasure hunts. Don't spend them unless you're sure you’ll need a big cash dump – think weapon upgrades or camp gear. Hold onto them early. Fence rates are fixed, but bars can’t be split. Plan ahead.
Why early-game dollars are the most valuable
Every dollar you make in Chapters 2 and 3 stretches far. Tonics are cheap. Ammo costs are manageable. And a few upgrades go a long way. This is the time to invest in core tools: a good rifle, a better saddle, and a fast travel upgrade for camp. Later on, you’ll earn more – but spend more, too.
How the economy shifts in the epilogue and Red Dead Online
Once you become John Marston, the economy slows. You lose access to some of Arthur’s cash, but New Austin opens up, offering new quests, bounties, and loot. In Red Dead Online, gold bars become micro-currency, with a different economy altogether. Your single-player habits won’t carry over clean – so don’t hoard in hopes of a crossover payoff.
Get on the train and rob passengers
© Rockstar Games
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Main Story Mission Payouts (Available: Chapter 1)
The main story missions are your most reliable source of early cash. They also teach you the ropes, unlock new areas, and come with built-in loot you don’t want to miss.
Highest-paying early missions (Ch 2–3)
If you're just getting started, stick with main missions like “The Spines of America” or “A Fisher of Men”. They pay well and unlock key systems. Train robberies and debt collections during this phase often include built-in loot. Don’t skip cutscenes – you’ll sometimes get location hints that lead to even bigger scores.
Mid-game beats worth repeating (Ch 4–6)
By Chapter 4, you’ve got access to Saint Denis and bigger heists. Missions like “A Fine Night of Debauchery” and “Banking, the Old American Art” are rich with loot and replay value. Robbery missions here give you access to high-end targets and can be repeated via mission replay for practice and profit.
When to pause story progress for side grinds
Before pushing the main story too far, take stock. Advancing too quickly locks out certain areas, NPCs, and side missions. Legendary animals, gang hideouts, and even some robbery targets will vanish if you wait too long. Finish side content, treasure maps, and upgrades before moving from Chapter 4 to 5.
03
Treasure Maps & Gold Bars (Unlocked: Chapter 2)
Treasure maps are your shortcut to make money in Red Dead Redemption 2 – no shootouts, no moral decisions, just pure exploration. Gold bars found through these quests are worth $500 apiece, and you can track them down early.
By the way, treasure hunts look even better in high resolution – and you'll want every graphical detail when searching remote caves and cliffs. You'll get the best results if you play RDR2 on PC.
Free gold bar runs: Limpany and the burned town stash
Check the sheriff’s office in the burned-down town of Limpany just south of Horseshoe Overlook. Inside the locked desk is a gold bar and a treasure map that sets you up for more. Use a lock breaker or brute force to open it, but go early – it’s accessible by Chapter 2 and unguarded.
Jack Hall, High Stakes, and Le Trésor – step-by-step rewards
These three treasure hunts can be completed in the mid-game for serious cash. Start Jack Hall by speaking to a stranger northeast of Flatneck Station. High Stakes is found from a random encounter west of Wallace Station. Le Trésor des Morts is exclusive to special editions, but offers a three-bar payout. Always follow the map in order and bring a decent horse – you’ll be covering ground.
Selling bars fast at every fence and maximizing payout
Gold bars can’t be sold at general stores – only fences. Early on, use the Emerald Ranch fence (available after completing The Spines of America). Later, the Saint Denis and Van Horn fences offer quick access. Don’t sell all at once unless you need the cash – bars don’t lose value, and you might want them for upgrades down the line.
04
Secret Businesses & Homestead Robberies (Unlocked: Chapter 2)
Not every money-making opportunity shows up on your map. Some of the best cash comes from shaking down backrooms, hidden operations, and remote homesteads packed with loot.
Backroom shakedowns in Valentine, Rhodes, and Saint Denis
Some shops are covers for illegal activity. In Valentine, the doctor’s backroom hides a poker den. Rhodes has a gunsmith with a prisoner in the basement. In Saint Denis, a shop near the trapper sells liquor illegally. Look for suspicious behavior or NPCs whispering – then pull your gun and investigate.
Debt collection missions with Strauss and how to profit from them
After Chapter 2, you’ll get debt collection tasks from Leopold Strauss. While these aren’t glamorous, they unlock some of the game’s grittiest side content. You can keep loot, take valuables, or escalate violence to get bigger payouts. Just know: they affect your honour, and sometimes your conscience.
Loot-heavy homesteads: NPC homes that always pay out
Scattered across the map are cabins and farms that don’t look like much – but inside, they’re gold mines. Try the Aberdeen Pig Farm, Lonnie’s Shack, and Watson’s Cabin. These usually offer one-time rewards, but the value is high: cash, gold, unique weapons, and even gold teeth you can fence.
05
Robbery Plays & Heist Guide: Trains, Banks & Stagecoaches (Unlocked: Chapter 2–3)
Ready to live like an outlaw? Trains, stagecoaches, and banks are high-risk, high-reward opportunities. Pulling off a clean heist takes planning – but the payouts are worth it.
Some stores are fronts for illegal activities
© Rockstar Games
Train and stagecoach robbery routes with clean getaway options (Chapter 3+)
Look for trains running between Valentine and Rhodes, or along the stretch near Annesburg. Hit them late at night for less resistance. Stagecoaches are easier targets – especially those leaving Saint Denis or Strawberry. Use choke points and cover. Always wear a mask, and keep your horse nearby for a fast escape.
Saint Denis and Blackwater banks (late-game scores)
You won’t access bank heists until Chapter 4 or later. In Saint Denis, the job comes via the main story. In Blackwater, post-epilogue missions offer repeatable targets. These heists are scripted but lucrative. Make sure you’ve stocked up on ammo and tonics – you’ll need them.
Heist planning and gear: masks, time-of-day, dynamite, and escape paths
Before any robbery, prepare like a pro. Wear a mask to prevent bounty identification. Strike at night for fewer witnesses. Bring dynamite for safes, and always plan your escape route – use the environment. Tall grass, bridges, and rivers make great covers if things go wrong.
For the best tools of the trade – including rare shotguns and pistols worth stealing or upgrading – check out our full weapon guide.
Selling horses is an easy way to make money
© Rockstar Games
Bounty control: how to avoid witnesses, wanted levels and post-robbery heat
Never let a witness ride off. Intimidate, kill, or lasso them if needed. Avoid towns when you're hot – post-robbery patrols increase. You can lower your wanted level by laying low for a few days or by paying bounties at train stations. Just don’t try to fast travel with heat on you – it won’t work.
06
Hunting, Fishing & Trapping for Profit (Unlocked: Chapter 2)
If you prefer staying off the law’s radar, nature’s your best business partner. Hunting, fishing, and trapping offer consistent cash, rare materials, and unique items – without the bounty heat.
Perfect-pelt circuits and where to drop off at trappers (Chapter 2)
Hunt deer, beavers, and raccoons around Horseshoe Overlook and the Dakota River. Use a varmint rifle or bow for clean kills and perfect pelts. Then sell to the trapper – early locations include Saint Denis and just east of Riggs Station. Don’t sell to butchers unless you're desperate; trappers pay more and unlock gear upgrades.
Legendary animals and the trinkets they unlock (Chapter 4+)
Legendary animals offer unique pelts and parts that can be turned into talismans and trinkets. These give permanent stat boosts – like slower stamina drain or reduced weapon degradation. Start with the Legendary Buck (West of Strawberry) to improve pelt quality for future hunts. Use the right weapon and always approach with caution – some of these beasts fight back.
Prime fish spots, fast butchering and what to sell where
Look for lake sturgeon and northern pike near Lagras or along Kamassa River. Use special lake or river lures for better catches. Butcher fish near the water and fast-travel the filets to sell in town. Fish isn’t worth as much as pelts or gold, but it’s reliable and low risk.
Gambling is a risky way to make money
© Rockstar Games
07
Horse & Wagon Trading (Unlocked: Chapter 2)
If it moves, you can sell it. Horses and wagons are mobile assets you can flip for quick cash – if you know where to go.
Taming vs stealing horses: what pays more
Tamed horses like the Hungarian Halfbred or American Paint can sell for over $50 at stables. Stolen horses fetch less and often can’t be sold unless the fence accepts them. Spend the time breaking wild horses – they’re more profitable in the long run. Use calming and consistent tapping to get them under control.
Once you’ve got a new steed, why not give it a name that stands out? Here’s our pick of the most crazy horse names in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Where to sell wagons and how to lead double mounts
Wagons can be fenced at Emerald Ranch after unlocking Seamus. They sell for $25 to $50 depending on the type. If you’re riding with a second horse, lead it using the rope option while mounted. This lets you bring two tamed horses to a stable at once – doubling your payout with a single trip.
08
Bounty Hunting & Lawman Work (Unlocked: Chapter 2)
Sometimes, playing the lawman pays just as well as breaking the law. Bounty hunting is a consistent, repeatable income stream if you know where to look.
Poster locations and where to start bounty loops
Posters show up in jails in Valentine, Rhodes, Strawberry, and Saint Denis. After Chapter 2, check these regularly – they refresh. Grab one, complete it, and ride back to town for payment. Rinse and repeat.
How to capture fast and maximise bonuses
Lasso your target from horseback, hogtie quickly, and avoid gunfire. Bringing them in alive pays more. Use Dead Eye to disarm or slow time when needed. Keep a bounty wagon if you’re tackling multiple targets – it saves you return trips.
When to pay off bounties – and when to hold out
If your bounty is under $50, pay it off to avoid random ambushes. Over $150? You’re better off finishing nearby jobs and paying later. If you’re caught, expect a heavy response – especially in Saint Denis. Use disguise tricks (change clothes, remove mask) to avoid detection.
You can earn $100 by capturing outlaws
© Rockstar Games
Best town circuits for consistent cash ($100+/hr)
The Rhodes–Valentine–Strawberry loop is the most efficient. Each town offers quick bounty pickups, easy rides, and manageable enemies. Stick to known routes and don’t fast travel between – bounty cooldowns often reset as you travel in real-time.
09
Best Gambling Games to Get Money in RDR2 (Unlocked: Valentine, Chapter 2)
Feeling lucky? Gambling isn’t a long-term income plan, but with the right tactics, you can earn quick side money while waiting out bounty heat.
Blackjack and poker payout strategy
Blackjack is all about patience. Play at saloons in Rhodes or Van Horn and walk away after a few hands. Poker pays more but takes longer – play tight, fold often, and raise only on strong hands. Watch NPC behavior – it’s surprisingly accurate.
When fillet, dominoes and horseshoes are worth it
Five Finger Fillet is a reflex game. Master the rhythm and you can win quick bets. Dominoes and horseshoes are fun but not lucrative – skip them unless you’re just passing time. You won’t earn much, but you won’t lose big either.
Loot bodies for cash and valuable items
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Where to play each game and what the stakes are
Poker and blackjack tables show up in Valentine, Saint Denis, and Blackwater. Stakes range from $2 to $5 per hand – modest, but scalable. Fillet is usually found behind saloons or at camp. Most games are available in the epilogue too, so you can keep playing post-story.
10
Looting & World Scavenging (Anytime)
Sometimes, the best money isn’t marked on a map. Keep your eyes open – hidden loot, random encounters, and overlooked containers can stack up fast.
Looting bodies, chimneys, lockboxes, and beds
Inside most cabins and homesteads, check chimneys – they often hide cash or gold bars. Lockboxes sit under beds, behind paintings, or in wardrobes. Don’t forget bodies – after shootouts, loot every corpse before the timer runs out. Always look behind buildings and under porches too. If it looks like it might hide something, it probably does.
Strangers and random encounters that drop big loot
You’ll run into strangers on the road – some friendly, some not. Help a wounded traveler or break up a robbery, and you might earn a reward. Some events lead to hidden locations or item drops. Don’t ignore these. They often lead to unique valuables you can fence or use.
Best areas to roam for cash-generating randomness
Stick to the roads between Valentine, Rhodes, and Saint Denis for the most random events. Forested trails and train stations also deliver high encounter rates. Avoid deserts unless you’re hunting – there’s less loot and fewer NPCs to engage. Ride slow, keep Dead Eye ready, and be ready to react.
Want more ways to spot easy-to-miss loot, avoid ambushes, or trigger hidden events? Our RDR2 hints list covers all the small tricks that add up fast.
11
Camp, Honour & Smart Money Management (Unlocked: Chapter 2+)
Money management in Red Dead Redemption 2 isn’t just about income – it’s about how and when you spend. Camp upgrades, honour rewards, and financial decisions all tie into long-term profit.
Most houses in the game, even if derelict, will have goodies hidden
© Rockstar Games
Camp upgrades with the best ROI
Start with Dutch’s lodging upgrade to unlock fast travel. Then upgrade Arthur’s tent for stamina boosts. The ammunition and medicine wagons are also smart early-game investments. Skip aesthetic upgrades – they cost a lot and offer no benefits. If it doesn’t change gameplay, don’t buy it.
Honour levels that unlock store discounts (and when to raise them)
High honour means lower prices at gunsmiths, tailors, and general stores. Donate to camp, surrender during random encounters, or loot less to raise honour. You’ll start seeing discounts once your honour bar is halfway full. It takes time – but the savings stack up.
Donation mechanics vs debt collection: what earns more?
Donations build honour and can improve camp morale, but they don’t pay. Strauss’s debt collections offer real money, though they lower your honour and affect story tone. Do both if you want the full experience – but if you’re role-playing a noble outlaw, skip the debt jobs and just donate.
How to spend smart across the game: what to buy early, delay, or skip
Buy satchels, tonics, and weapon upgrades early. Delay cosmetic purchases and rare horses until later. Use crafting over purchasing where possible – many tonics and ammo types are cheaper to make than buy. Think long-term. If it doesn’t help you survive or earn more, hold off.
12
How to Make Money After the Epilogue
Once you’re John Marston, your tools and missions change – but money still talks. This phase unlocks new regions, new targets, and the final chance to build your legacy.
Go on a treasure hunt with this map
© Rockstar Games
Complete ranch chores and find treasure stashes across New Austin
Doing chores on the ranch pays little but keeps the story moving. For money, focus on treasure maps – New Austin is packed with stashes you couldn’t reach as Arthur. Check caves, mines, and remote cabins. Bring dynamite and a good horse – some rides are long.
Use John-only bounty boards and stranger quests for cash and gear
Several bounty missions open up in the epilogue, only available to John. These pay just as well and have fresh targets. Stranger missions also return, offering new gear and cash rewards. Explore Armadillo and Tumbleweed – they’re hubs for late-game content.
The epilogue changes more than just your character – it reshapes the world. If you want to know what unlocks, disappears, or evolves, our RDR2 post-epilogue guide breaks it all down.
How to carry cash and gold into Red Dead Online: what transfers and what doesn’t
Story mode cash and gold don’t transfer into Red Dead Online. If you’re moving to Online, start fresh. However, the skills you’ve learned – like where to hunt, how to plan robberies, and when to upgrade – translate perfectly. The grind resets, but your strategy doesn’t.
Wrapping up with the final sections of your article:
Make money by selling pelts
© Rockstar Games
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FAQ – People Also Ask
Still have questions about making money in Red Dead Redemption 2? Here’s a quick rundown of what players ask most.
What is the fastest way to make money early in RDR2?
Robbery isn’t your best bet early on – main story missions and treasure maps are. Complete Chapter 2 missions while grabbing free gold bars from Limpany and side loot from homesteads. You’ll make fast, safe money without triggering bounties.
Do you keep cash after the epilogue?
No – Arthur’s cash doesn’t transfer to John. If you want to make the most of Arthur’s funds, spend them before the end of Chapter 6. Upgrade your camp, buy gear, and stock up. John starts with his own set of money and equipment.
How many gold bars can Arthur carry?
Arthur can carry up to 30 gold bars in total, but the game never hard-limits you unless you're holding them all at once. You’re safe to hoard or sell as needed, but don’t let them pile up too long – use them when big upgrades come around.
Can you rob trains without getting a bounty?
Yes – but it’s tricky. Do it outside town, wear a mask, and stop witnesses. Strike late at night between stations. Avoid unnecessary bloodshed and escape clean to dodge the wanted system. If anyone escapes, your bounty’s all but guaranteed.
14
Living Rich in the Wild West
You don’t have to grind endlessly to stay rich in Red Dead Redemption 2. Whether you’re robbing banks or collecting cigarette cards, the game gives you more than one path to fill your satchel. Prioritise upgrades that unlock income, plan your crimes with care, and know when to hold back to preserve side income.
Once you start managing your RDR2 money instead of chasing it, the whole game opens up. You’ll unlock faster travel, better gear, and lower shop prices – all without getting caught in the bounty loop.
So what’s your move – fast cash, slow grind, or something in between? Either way, share your own tricks and outlaw wisdom with us on Red Bull’s socials.
