1. The first thing you should build is always a goldmine! It is the only way to get money!

2. After starting the game you have enough money to build

1 Mine
1 Smithy
1 Farm
1 Saloon
1 Shop
3 Cottages
1 Train Station

Then you should simply skip three rounds to get your first gold (mines need three months (3 rounds) to be build). Sell it and try to build up your goldmine.

3. Enable the "Symbols" option from the "Buildings" menu (press joybutton for the menu, select "Finances and Statistics" - "Buildings"). If the option is active you will see where unhappy workers live. If you see a "glass of beer" you need to build a Saloon near to the cottage. If you see a "cash register" icon you have to build a shop. When there is a "red hammer" symbol, your cottage is to close to a smithy. Remove it and build it somewhere else.

4. Your workers will be happier the more space they have in their cottages. Twenty workers are the maximum for one cottage. If there are only 10 workers per cottage it means they have a utilisation of 50% - and your workers are happier because of more space.

5. You should always (!) have enough farms for your workers. If you have more than you need (utilisation of farms lower than 100%), your workers will be happier and more productive.