Am I doing alright compared to the Jones?Follow

10g on your first character at level 15 is impressive. I don't think I broke 10g until I was over 20.

Ideally you want to have the money to purchase your mount about 3/4 levels before you can.

All in all I'd say your doing well.

As for a guide. There are guides, problem is they are incredibly subjective. Don't listen to anyone, there are no sure fire 100% fool proof money making strategies that work for everyone. WoW is just like the real world, its about 40% effort, 10% planning, and 50% pure dumb luck. Being in the right place at the right time to grab a good bit of loot, seeing an under priced item on the AH, etc.

My advice is to look around, see how other people make money, and find what works for you, for your style of play. For example I enjoy playing the AH and trying (and mostly succeeding) to make 50% profit margins, but some people don't enjoy it, or are simply not very good at it. I can't stand farming just for the sake of farming, I've got to have a goal at the end of it, but some people enjoy it, and can make a good living at it.

I'd agree that 10g at level 15 on your first character is impressive to say the least. My first character was pretty poor until the mid 20s. Then again, I started without being very informed and didn't even find the AH until I was like level 20+ (started as a NE so it wasn't that close hehe). My second "main," the rogue I'm currently playing, had all the gold for his mount by the time he was in the mid 20s and then some. I chose to take up 2 gathering professions on this character, while my first toon had mine/engineering. Crafting professions, though novel, don't usually earn you as much gold as a gathering profession until the higher levels when you get some of the higher level patterns. By that time you've likely already invested 100s of gold into leveling that profession.

I'd personally suggest that you take your time to "pick out" your gear. Don't by any BoE world drop blues until you're in the mid 30s, and only if you determine that the item is either: 1) severly underpriced at the AH or 2) will last you a significant amount of time. You can still get good gear by doing quests and running instances. Running instances is also a lot of fun in most cases and will help you learn your classes roll. Often, the drops that you can obtain from instances, and certain select quest rewards are better than items you can buy off the AH. They take some time to aquire, but you're getting XP and real experience playing your character while you're doing it.

People that splurge in the game are constantly poor. Always think of the marginal upgrade that you get by equipping said item as compared to what you're currently wearing. Do the extra stats really justify the expensive price? Those are questions you should ask yourself. It's perfectly fine to spend the gold on worthwhile items. But getting that sword with an extra 0.5 DPS isn't a good buy in many cases, especially if there's a questable item that you can get in 3 levels which owns it completely and is free. Now once you get towards 60 that all changes. You're going to have your gear for a longer time and will be making more money. It's often a good idea to invest in good gear that you'll use for a while. Then again, always check what's quest/instanceable.

It's also often a good idea to create a bank alt or 2 in order to expand what you can keep "in stock" so to say. These low level characters also make great ways to save money (send your gold to um). I like to keep maybe 100g on my main, and my bank alt gets the rest. Keeps me from blowing my epic mount fund! Money travels through the mail instantly, so you can always send gold instantly between characters if you really "need" it!

Keep up the good work, use the search functions to find weapons/gear (sort by level; search by slot/weapon; take note of no level required stuff from quests at the bottom of the page). You'll be comfortable money wise throughout your travels in Azeroth (did I even spell that right hehe?).

Hey thanks guys. I appreciate the advise and feedback. I think this is why I like WOW so much.

Much of it was easy. I played a couple of games. Follow the carcass until I reached the killer where I would simply ask him if I could skin any carcasses around him.

Mining, well if it glowed I mined it.

Fishing I have taken your advise. However since you posted about fishing I am about L90 now and can't seem to catch anymore than a cold, or more specifically, anything worth more than copper coins. Do I just keep on trucking on?

On the AH I won't go out and buy the best armour available at my level simply because the stats are slightly better than I have got currently. Initially I stayed on the AH and watched. I read a few forums for advise and asked mates at work etc. I won't profess to say I have mastered it but I would buy bargins where some poor bugger has put an item in the Ah for what seems a steal, even if it is a level or 2 higher than what I can use.

I am seeing also a potential benifit in buying what people are selling in the AH and on-selling for a profit, but I am not sure this is deemed ethical in WOW or even if it would work. But some people seem to put some items into the AH at rediculous prices! In real life I am no entrepreneur, but I mean it's almost an open invitation to take advantage of the situation.

I am glad I understand the basic's in economics I learnt at school as supply and demand are your saviour here. If anyone takes advise from newbies is... check the marktet prices of what you are selling, cause
a) you are selling yourself short $$$.
b) you seem to be bottoming out the market - and everyone suffers

Man after writing this I think I am going to run for Prime Minister.

Keep at it. At 225 + lures, you'll be able to catch stonescale eels, which sell for ~1g each. At 90, you may be able to fish for firefin snappers and oily blackmouths, with a lure, around Ratchet. Look for schools of them.

At level 20, deviate fish from the Barrens present little risk of bodily harm. At level 25+, you can make the trek to Steamwheedle for the eels.

Producing something to sell, be it metal bars, leathers, or fish is a foolproof means to make money.

My advice would be to collect some coin, then indulge yourself when you want to. Once you know how to generate revenue (and it sounds like you already do) you can always refill your pockets.

Oh, and since you are fishing, might was well be cooking, too! Those useless fish you're selling for a handful of copper could, instead, be used to skill your cooking. Why cooking? Well, who doesn't like extra stamina, spirit, agility, or the like? If you're still just selling the fish, they're worth a lot more cooked than they are raw.

See, I knew that he would know.

Oh, and I guess I should check into fishing buddy.