What are you supposed to do when Tom Nook is on your case about debt? Illegal actions might sound tempting, but there’s no need for that in Animal Crossing: New Horizons! You can quickly make tons of Bells with proper techniques. In this article, you’ll learn detailed descriptions of the best ways to earn Bells and step-by-step processes to execute these methods. 

5. Interact With the Environment Daily (Best for Early in the Game)

I hit the jackpot!

Money grows on trees in Animal Crossing! In fact, you can find it all over your town if you know where to look. This method is best for beginners because it’s painless and requires no strategy.

Shake your trees so they’ll drop coins! 100 Bells fall from each tree per day, but you can make a hefty amount of cash if you shake every tree on your island. Be careful, though. Wasp nests fall from trees too, and they’ll ruin your face in a heartbeat. I recommend carrying a net and medicine in case you run into these deadly insects.  

How It Works: 

• Go to your inventory to take out your net.
• Walk up to a tree.
• Press A to shake it.
• If wasps fall out, press A to catch them.
• If Bells fall out, press Y to pick them up.
• Do this for all the trees on your island.

Money trees are lifesavers, and they’re easy to find too! You’ll need to search your island for a glowing spot on the ground and dig it up. 1000 Bells will be your reward, but there’s more money where that came from. If you bury Bells in the glowing hole, you’ll receive three times the amount in four days. That sounds like a steal! 

Be aware that 30,000 Bells is the maximum you can get from a money tree, so burying over 10,000 is a waste. 

How It Works: 

• Take out your shovel from your inventory.
• Look around your island for a glowing spot on the ground.
• Dig the area up by pressing A.
• Bury up to 10,000 Bells in the same spot.
• Wait four days.
• Shake your money tree.
• Collect the bags when they fall.

Another foolproof way to make money is by hitting a money rock. Several rocks are on your island, but only one spits out up to 16,000 Bells. Remember, the stone spews money for a short time, so you can lose some cash if you aren’t hitting it fast enough. You’ll want to dig two holes behind your character before you strike a rock. This way, you won’t waste time moving closer to it after being knocked back.

How It Works: 

• Take your shovel out of your inventory.
• Walk up to a rock.
• Dig two holes behind your character.
• Keep pressing A to hit the rock until money doesn’t come out anymore.
• Collect your money.
• Do this to all the stones on your island.

Last but not least are balloon presents. You’ll notice these frequently, as they spawn every 5–20 minutes. Floating gifts have random items in them, including Bells. Some players claim that balloon color indicates which items are inside the presents, but people have debunked these findings. Therefore, you should pop every balloon!

How It Works:

• Take out your slingshot.
• Walk under the balloon.
• Press and hold A to ready your slingshot until the present is directly above you.
• Release A to send the pebble flying.
• Press Y to pick up the gift when it falls.

4. Craft Items

Let's get to crafting!

You may get so desperate for money that you’ll want to sell resources, but that’s a mistake. Selling crafted items yields 2–3 times more Bells than selling the materials themselves. For example, 15 clumps of weeds will net you 150 Bells, while using them to make a leaf umbrella provides 300 Bells. Also, pay attention to the “hot item” on the board in front of Nook’s Cranny. These items change daily, and you can sell them for double the price!

Luckily, crafting materials are plentiful on your island! Hit each of your rocks with a shovel up to 8 times to get stones, iron, and clay. You can also use your ax to get different types of wood from trees, but be careful not to chop them down by accident. It only takes three swings to kill a tree, and no one likes a tree killer. 

Be sure to get DIY recipes for crafting as well. You can find these at Nook’s Cranny, at an ABD, and in balloon presents. Talking to villagers while they craft in their houses will also get you recipes.

How It Works:

• Walk to a crafting table.
• Select “Let’s craft!”
• Select the item you want to craft.
• Select “Craft it!”
• Select “Let’s do it!”
• Sell the crafted items at Nook’s Cranny.

3. Catch Bugs and Fish

Looks like I caught a whopper!

Catching bugs and fish is one of the most lucrative ways to earn money in Animal Crossing. Certain critters of both species are precious, so you want to ensure they don’t escape.

Foremost, you’ll need a net for grabbing bugs. They’re easy to make too! It only takes five branches to make a flimsy net. Then, you’ll need the delicate net and an iron nugget to make a regular net. If you don’t have the materials, buy a flimsy net for 400 Bells or a normal one for 2,500 at Nook’s Cranny. 

You're ready to learn how to catch creepy crawlies once you have a net! Many startle easily, so remember to be slow and steady when trying to snag them. You’ll need to inch toward the bug while your net is raised, and strike at the perfect time. 

Bugs have more varied activities compared to fish. For example, some rest on tree stumps while others scurry across water. Therefore, it’s best to learn the behaviors of bugs, especially the valuable ones. You’ll be less likely to scare them off and more likely to get the money you deserve!

Tarantulas and scorpions are worth the most at 8,000 Bells a piece, but you’ll have to venture out between 7:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. to get these guys. Catching these two is also tricky, since their bites make you faint. The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. 

I understand if you’re not up for the challenge, though. Some common insects, like wasps and paper butterflies, are worth more than you think. Wasps bring in 2,500 Bells each, while paper butterflies are 1000 Bells. 

I suggest saving your bugs for the gothic chameleon named Flick. He’ll buy bugs at 50% more than their selling price at Nook’s Cranny. Although Flick appears for Bug Offs, he’ll also visit your island at random. 

How It Works: 

• Take your net out when you see a bug.
• Press and hold A to ready your net.
• Slowly inch closer to the bug with the left stick.
• Release A when you’re close enough to catch the bug.
• Do this with every bug you find.
• Wait for Flick to stop by for a bigger profit or sell them at Nook’s Cranny.

As for fishing, you’ll need a rod. You can craft a flimsy fishing rod with five branches, then use that rod to make a durable one. Like the nets, both rods are available at Nook's Cranny for 400 and 2,500 Bells.

Fishing differs from catching bugs; I’d argue it’s a bit more complicated. Be sure to walk, not run, along bodies of water. That way, you won’t scare off any fish by mistake. Most importantly, you’ll need to pay close attention to when the fish grabs the bobber. I recommend listening to the sinking sound to know when to reel in the bait.  

Fish bait comes in handy if you’re looking for a specific fish. Only one Manila clam is required to craft it too. Fish will flock to you in any body of water as long as you have bait! 

You should use bait so that you’ll be more likely to catch the most expensive fish. Like bugs, many of the rarest fish come out during the evening, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. The rarest ones include the Great White shark and the Dorado, which both cost 15,000 Bells. 

C.J. is like Flick, except the former will buy fish at a 30% higher price and host the Fish Tournament instead of the Bug Off.

How It Works:

• Take your fishing rod out of your inventory.
• Walk up to a fish.
• Press A to cast your line.
• Wait until the fish sees the bobber and pulls it underwater.
• Press A to reel the fish in.
• Do this with every fish you see.
• Wait for C.J. to stop by for a bigger profit or sell them at Nook’s Cranny.

2. Activate the Bell Boom Ordinance

Can't wait for the money to come in, Isabelle!

Animal Crossing: New Horizons allows you to enact ordinances according to your play style. These are rules that the island residents abide by, and they can alter things like your villagers’ curfews. Keep in mind that it costs 20,000 Bells to start an ordinance, and it won’t begin until the following day.

Of all four ordinances, the Bell Boom one gives players the most bang for their buck. This rule makes costs go up, but selling prices also rise. Higher prices may sound daunting, but if you sell more than you buy, that won’t be a problem! 

How It Works:

• Go to the Resident Services Building.
• Sit in the chair that’s in front of Isabelle.
• Select “Review island features.”
• Select “Discuss ordinances.”
• Select “Yes, please.”
• Select the “Bell Boom ordinance.”

1. Buy Turnips (Best for Later in the Game)

I'll take all the turnips you have, Daisy Mae!

A cute boar named Daisy Mae will visit your island every Sunday from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. She’s not there for you to fawn over her adorable appearance, though. The piglet is in charge of the stalk market! You can buy turnips from her at a fixed price and profit from them. 

The turnips will spoil the following Sunday, so you’ll need to sell them before then. You can make or lose a lot depending on your luck with the prices, so I recommend this method for players who can afford to lose money. 

Always remember that prices change twice a day: once in the morning and once in the afternoon. If prices haven’t gone up by Saturday afternoon, just bite the bullet and sell the turnips. It’s better to lose some money than all of it.

If you’re having bad luck with Animal Crossing’s stalk market, use websites like Turnip Exchange and Animal Crossing Exchange. Users will let you visit their islands when their turnip prices are incredibly high. All you have to do is join a queue, follow the instructions, and wait for your turn to get rich!

How It Works:

• Find Daisy Mae on Sunday before noon. 
• Talk to her.
• Select “I’ll buy some.”
• Enter how many you want to buy or choose “Buy the maximum.”
• Select “Yeah, I’ll buy ‘em!”
• Check turnip prices with Tommy and Timmy every day.
• Sell your turnips when they’re at a higher price.
• Sell them by Saturday afternoon, even if the price isn’t as high as you’d like.

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