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Should I Bury 10000 Bells in Animal Crossing? A Deep Dive into Money Tree Economics

Absolutely! Burying 10,000 Bells is generally the safest and most reliable strategy for cultivating money trees in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH). While the allure of planting larger sums exists, the guaranteed return of 30,000 Bells from a 10,000 Bell investment offers a solid, consistent profit. Let’s delve into the mechanics of money trees, explore the risks and rewards of burying larger sums, and determine the best strategies to maximize your Bell income.

Understanding Money Trees: A Beginner’s Guide

The concept is simple: each day, a glowing spot appears randomly on your island. Digging here reveals a bag of Bells, but instead of simply pocketing them, you can rebury Bells in that same glowing hole. This will then sprout a sapling that grows into a money tree. Once fully grown, the tree bears three bags of Bells, which you can shake down. After shaking the bags off, the tree reverts to an ordinary hardwood tree, meaning it won’t produce money again.

The 10,000 Bell Guarantee

The magic number, 10,000 Bells, provides a 100% certainty of yielding a 30,000 Bell harvest. This is the most dependable investment strategy. It’s risk-free and allows for steady growth of your savings. Think of it as a daily deposit into a high-yield savings account, Animal Crossing style.

The Temptation of Higher Investments: Gambling with Bells

The game allows you to bury more than 10,000 Bells, tempting you with the prospect of even bigger returns. You might consider planting 30,000, 50,000, or even 99,000 Bells. But here’s where it gets tricky. While there’s a chance the tree will produce three bags equivalent to your initial investment (resulting in a massive profit!), there’s also a significant possibility it will revert to the 10,000 Bell guarantee. This means you’d only receive 30,000 Bells back, resulting in a loss.

The Math Behind the Gamble

The game’s mechanics dictate a decreasing probability of a successful large-sum harvest as the buried amount increases. Some players report a roughly 30% chance that burying anything between 10,000 and 99,000 Bells will result in a return of triple the amount buried. However, this is based on anecdotal evidence and in-game algorithms that are not transparently revealed by Nintendo.

Risk vs. Reward: Finding Your Strategy

If you’re a risk-averse player who values consistent gains, sticking to the 10,000 Bell strategy is the way to go. You might not become an overnight Bellionaire, but you’ll steadily accumulate wealth.

For those who enjoy a bit of gambling, occasionally burying a larger sum can add excitement to your daily routine. However, be prepared to accept potential losses. It’s advisable to only gamble with Bells you can afford to lose.

Maximizing Your Daily Income: Consistent Planting

Regardless of your investment strategy, consistency is key. Make burying Bells a daily habit. Even if you sometimes gamble and lose, the consistent 10,000 Bell plantings will ensure your overall wealth continues to grow.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Money Trees

Here are some frequently asked questions about money trees to further clarify the process:

What happens if I bury 100,000 Bells? Technically, you can bury 100,000 Bells, but it’s highly discouraged. The game will likely default to the 30,000 Bell return, causing you to lose 70,000 Bells. It’s statistically disadvantageous.
What’s the highest amount of Bells I can bury? You can bury up to 99,999 Bells, but remember that the success rate for a full return decreases as the amount increases.
How do I find the glowing spot for money trees? Each day, a new glowing spot appears randomly on your island. Look for a shimmering patch on the ground. Dig it up with your shovel.
Can I move a money tree after planting it? Yes! You can dig up a money tree sapling or even a fully grown tree (before shaking the Bells down) with your shovel and replant it elsewhere. This is useful for organizing your island or creating a money tree orchard.
Do money trees regrow Bells? No, once you shake the Bell bags off the tree, it reverts to a regular hardwood tree and will not produce money again.
Can I plant multiple money trees in one day? Yes, you can plant multiple money trees in a day. Each glowing spot allows for one money tree planting.
What happens if I don’t shake the Bell bags off the tree? The tree will remain with the Bell bags on it indefinitely, but it won’t produce any more. Shake them off to free up the space for a new tree the next day.
Does the golden shovel affect money tree growth? No, the golden shovel does not impact the amount of Bells a money tree produces. It’s used for other gardening activities like growing black roses. Getting a golden shovel requires helping Gulliver 30 times.
Is there a pattern to when you get the original investment back vs. the ‘capped’ investment when burying more than 10,000 Bells? No, the game determines the outcome the moment you bury the Bells. There is no known pattern.
Can I bury Bells on mystery islands? No, you can only plant money trees on your own island where the glowing spot appears.
What’s the best way to make Bells besides money trees? There are numerous ways to earn Bells in ACNH. Selling fish, bugs, fossils, and sea creatures are reliable methods. Playing the stalk market (buying and selling turnips) can be lucrative but carries high risk. Completing Nook Miles achievements can also give you Bell vouchers. You can learn more at the GamesLearningSociety.org website.
Should I put Bells in savings? Yes! The ABD (Automatic Bell Dispenser) in the Resident Services building acts as a savings account. While there’s no interest, it’s a safe place to store your Bells.
What happens if my money tree doesn’t grow? If your money tree sapling doesn’t grow, it’s likely because you planted it too close to another object or building. Dig it up and replant it in a more open space.
How fast do money trees grow? Money trees typically take about three days to fully mature and produce Bell bags.
Is time traveling useful for farming money trees? Time traveling can speed up the process of harvesting Bells from money trees, but it can also disrupt the natural rhythm of the game and potentially affect other aspects of your island, such as villager relationships. Use it with caution.

Conclusion: Planting Your Path to Prosperity

While the temptation to bury large sums of Bells for potentially massive returns is understandable, the 10,000 Bell strategy offers the most reliable and consistent profit. It’s a safe and steady approach to building your wealth in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Coupled with other Bell-earning activities, such as fishing, bug catching, and selling items, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your financial goals in the game. Remember, responsible money management is just as important in the virtual world as it is in the real one!

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