Skyrim: How To Make Gold

How cool would it be to wander around the nearest field, pick some plants and flowers and sell them for cash? You totally can in Skyrim, and it’s probably the safest way to make money. In fact, it's one of the only methods that won’t get you killed or earn you a night in the nearest prison. Different regions offer up different varieties of plants and herbs. Collect them as you move along. They weigh almost nothing and their worth adds up in quantities. From bleeding crowns to blisterwort, from taproot to tundra cotton, just lean over and take it. Be sure to save some for mixing, though. When you mix them, they can make you even more coin. By the way, does anyone even want to know what imp stool is?

Once you’ve gathered all those nearly weightless, free of charge gifts of Mara, bring them to an alchemy turntable and get your mix on. Improve your alchemy skill and watch your potions turn into liquid pots of gold. Some of the more powerful ones are even worth upwards of 200 gold or more when sold to the right Alchemist or fence. Ch-ching!

Mixing potions has obvious benefits beyond mere septims as well. Alchemy skill helps you to level up and some of those potions will be your best friends, getting you out of scrapes when your powers and fighting skills are still developing.

Your entire life, you've been told it's wrong to steal. Well, not in Skyrim. I mean, damn, there’s even an officially recognized guild for stealing crap. These people aspire to thieving as unabashedly and proudly as others might aspire to politics, magic or law enforcement. Go ahead, steal. Believe me, it's fine... sort of. You can wander around all the shops, houses and shacks you want, taking what you want out of cupboards, bookshelves and chests. Just remember that if they show up in red and you actually steal them, chances are you’ll only be able to sell them to a "fence" (sort of a licensed Thieves Guild merchant).

For that, it’s best that you head to Riften early on. Riften is a very seedy place (the sewers are called the Ratways for a reason), but it is here that you can start completing the Thieves Guild questline. That way, whatever you steal or pickpocket can be sold to Tonilia or that dodgy mage, Enthir, over at Winterhold. Although stealing is pretty damn easy in this Elder Scrolls installment, make sure you're always crouching and that no one’s eyes are on you when thieving. Otherwise, you’re going to get some unwanted attention.

If you want to make some real money in Skyrim, you're going to have to earn it. By earning it, I mean risking your life and limb in caves, grottos and forts throughout the land. That's because weapons and armor are pretty much the most valuable items you can get your hands on. The problem is that most of the good stuff doesn't just willingly fall off of seasoned bandits and wizards, nor can it be found just lying around.

Thanks to your annoyingly realistic weight limit, you’ll need to be selective about what you pick up. Jewelry and staffs are the bomb because they are low weight, high worth, whereas something like an iron suit of armor is low worth, high weight. If you have a housecarl or mercenary cruising around with you, use them as your mule so you don’t have to carry so much. They won’t care. Your housecarls are especially excited to help you. Except for Lydia, that sarcastic wench.

When you want to take your arms dealing to the next level, bring your wares to an enchanting table and amp up the jewelry, weapons, and armor. Sell each item to merchants according to their type for the most payout.