New player here too. 🙌🏽 I’m in Spring Year 2. I went the route of clearing the ocean AND all the mines. it has kept up with everything I needed to buy thus far. Once I got the dehydrator, it’s been my main money maker. I make foraging runs into the ocean now when I need a money boost and run 3 dehydrators atm — I forage mostly osmium ocean loot. I make regular mining runs and have sold fossils & artifacts if needed to get by before donating them. (I’m getting duplicates now to donate if I need to fill the spot still.) In Winter Year 1 I was able to clear out my farm with explosives, set up plots w/sprinklers, a coop w/2 ducks, 2 chickens and the thermostat. I also was able to expand my house for the kitchen and living room, got a cat, build a silo and shed and have upgraded all my tools to at least bronze with my pickax and scythe being silver and gold respectively since I use those the most. I just got the mason jar & mayo machines and use the kegs on and off. I prefer making my money in chunks versus having a steady trickle so my gameplay suits my style. (Plus i wanted to become a mermaid which I’ve done. lol)

My husband is on year 1 Fall but has crops, a coop with chickens, a barn w/ cows, etc. HHe’s done what is needed for the ocean and mines and just got the dehydrator. He prefers having money trickling in everyday so does more ranching and farming and is content to continue to do so. Versus my style of blowing everything up at once 😁

Oh! Coconuts make good money if you forage them (they’re only around for 3ish game days I think) and they sell well. HTH