How to Make an Atomic Bomb in Your Garden Currency Guide

Introduction to Currency in Your Garden

Managing currency is the backbone of your operation in How to Make an Atomic Bomb in Your Garden. Without a steady flow of cash, you cannot afford the rare parts, tools, or bribes needed to keep your project secret. This guide covers every currency type, how to earn them efficiently, and what to prioritize.

The game features three main currencies: Cash, Scrap, and Influence. Each serves a distinct purpose in your journey from amateur tinkerer to nuclear engineer.

Types of Currency and Their Uses

Understanding what each currency does is the first step to mastering the game's economy.

• Cash: Earned through day jobs, selling crafted items, and completing side gigs. Spend it on rare components and bribery.
• Scrap: Found by scavenging in junkyards, dismantling old electronics, and recycling failed experiments. Essential for building tools and low-tier parts.
• Influence: Gained by completing favors for shady characters, sharing your "research" online, or blackmailing witnesses. Used to access restricted areas and buy exclusive blueprints.

Best Ways to Earn Currency Early Game

In the first few hours, you need to establish a reliable income stream without raising suspicion.

1. Start with a day job

   Work as a handyman or online freelancer. This provides steady Cash without alerting your neighbors. Focus on jobs that pay at least 50 Cash per hour.

2. Scavenge systematically

   Visit the junkyard every three in-game days. Use a metal detector to find hidden Scrap piles. Prioritize areas near old industrial equipment.

3. Build a reputation

   Complete small favors for the local pawnbroker. This builds Influence and unlocks better prices on parts.

Mid-Game Currency Strategies

Once you have basic equipment, you can scale up your income.

• Invest in a workshop upgrade: A better workbench lets you craft advanced items that sell for higher Cash. For example, a precision timer sells for 200 Cash but costs only 50 Scrap to make.
• Trade Scrap for Cash: When you have excess Scrap, visit the scrap dealer. The exchange rate fluctuates daily, so wait for a favorable rate.
• Use Influence wisely: Spend Influence to learn the schedule of the federal inspector. Avoiding detection saves you from costly fines.

Spending Priorities: What to Buy First

Not all purchases are equal. Here is a checklist of what to prioritize with your hard-earned currency.

Advanced Currency Farming Techniques

For players aiming to complete the game quickly, these advanced methods yield high returns.

• The stock market mini-game: After unlocking the internet connection upgrade, you can trade stocks. Focus on defense and energy stocks, which spike when news reports "unexplained explosions."
• Counterfeit operation: This is risky but profitable. Requires a high-end printer (1000 Cash) and 10 Influence to learn the technique. Each batch of fake bills nets 800 Cash but carries a 20% chance of getting caught.
• Selling blueprints: After successfully building a component, you can sell the blueprint to a rival enthusiast. This gives a one-time Influence boost of 15 points.

Common Currency Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced players can fall into these traps.

• Hoarding Scrap: Scrap has weight and takes up inventory space. Convert excess Scrap into Cash regularly.
• Ignoring Influence: Many players focus only on Cash, but Influence is required to access the final components. Dedicate at least 20% of your time to Influence-building activities.
• Buying expensive parts too early: A high-end neutron reflector costs 2000 Cash, but you cannot install it until you have a reinforced workbench. Upgrade your workshop first.

For more on workshop upgrades, see our Upgrades Guide. If you are just starting out, the Beginner Guide covers the first steps in detail.