They say that there are over 10 million people playing World of Warcraft world wide, and that number just keeps on growing. If you are one of those millions you know how addictive that game can be. You find yourself wanting to log in just so you can check your mailbox, check up on your auctions, or check out the current prices at the AH (Auction House.)

The ability to buy and sell at the AH adds a realistic and enjoyable dimension to the game and allows players to make money and buy some great arms, armor, etc. In order to buy this cool stuff you need to have some money: silver and gold.

One of the best ways for the beginner to make gold in WoW is to take up a profession such as Skinning, Mining, or Herbalism. You can train for these professions at one of the main cities, then skin, mine, or collect herbs constantly while you complete the quests you need for leveling up your character.

If you are more concerned with earning money than leveling rapidly take a day or two and just work on your gathering professions. The secondary professions of fishing, cooking, and first aid don't really do much for income, especially at the lower levels. (Though there are some secrets at higher levels that will make you a lot of money, but I can't give those away in this article.)

Now, all of this collecting won't do you any good unless you can sell what you have collected at the AH. That means a long and time-consuming run or flight back to one of the cities just so you can sell your goods...or does it?

Yes, there is a better way: you need a mule. Make another character (the mule) that you don't bother to level up, and park that character at the mailbox closest to the AH. Select a name that is easy to remember and type, because you will be sending mail (items and money) to this character from all of your other characters on the same server and you don't want to make an error with that!

If you are Alliance you can make a Dwarf or Gnome that you run immediately to Ironforge, a Human you send to Stormwind, a Nightelf that you send to Darnassus, or a Draenei for The Exodar.If you are Horde you can make a Bloodelf that you send to Silvermoon, an Orc or Troll you send to Orgrimmar, a Tauren for Thunder Bluff, or an Undead for Undercity.

Your mule only needs to be capable enough to stay alive on the run to the closest city, which in most cases means that a level 1 character is adequate for the task. When your mule arrives in the city you should station it by a mailbox right next to the AH.

Now, whenever your gathering character's inventory is full of good loot to sell at the AH you only need to travel as far as the closest mailbox. Send your items and enough money to place the auctions to your waiting mule. Logout as the gathering character, login as the mule, and place your auctions, collect on sold items, purchase equipment, etc. Then return items, money, or whatever to your gathering character(s) in the field.