You also want to have around 2000 pounds in the end, and you don't want to waste too many bullets in the process. If you shoot a buffalo (or, later in the game, a bear), don't shoot again; you've already eaten enough. The more expensive items on the market are not all that necessary - for example, you can buy almost 300 pairs of pants for $10,000-$20,000. It's your call how much money to spend over time. When you first start out on the Oregon Trail, it's best to keep what you have because more things will become available as you go along. For example, if you don't purchase a wagon until late in the game, you won't be able to transport anything else but your own belongings. Once you have collected enough resources to build a house, you'll gain access to some additional options. For example, you can now buy furniture in which to store your goods. There are three types of buildings you can construct at home: storage sheds, tents, and cabins. A storage shed is small but offers the most protection from weather-related damage. A tent is large but doesn't provide much protection from wind or rain. A cabin is medium in size and has two rooms: a main room and a loft. You can only build one cabin per location on the map.