Crossword Genius

It's cold in the forest for the bucks in America (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cash

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the forest for the bucks in america' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'it's cold in' is the wordplay.
'it's cold' becomes 'c' (eg on taps).
'in' becomes 'ash' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'c'+'ash'='CASH'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cash that I've seen before include ""Readies"" , "Spondulicks" , "Hard currency" , "Funds" , "bread" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.
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