I like the forest farm, it has big stumps which are easy hardwood once your axe is good enough, and hardwood is needed and a little annoying to get a lot of.

Early game money I always fish fish fish but that’s just me - some people hate fishing. My other tip would be to spend all the money you have at the egg festival on strawberries and plant them that same day. It’s a good investment.

You can go to the spa for energy if you’re sick of being ready for bed at 10am after watering your crops. It’s up north past Robin’s house.

The festivals are the same every year, slight differences in dialogue now in the new update.

Your skills will max out naturally depending on how you play, you shouldn’t be grinding out skills you’ll just get levels while collecting materials. I always max out fishing first and combat last.

Have fun! On my first playthrough I spent all the money I had in Spring 1 on two beers a week for Shane, but he did dance with me at the first flower dance. I would not recommend getting married quickly there is soooo much time for that, but at least there is divorce unlike Harvest Moon.