GTA V: Top 8 Fastest Methods to Earn Money in Story Mode

Whether you’re a veteran holding dominion over the streets or a rookie eager to carve your niche, in GTA V, everyone is chasing the same elusive reward—cold, hard cash. This currency fuels every gunfire, propels every exhilarating escape, and paves the way for ambitious empires constructed from sheer tenacity. Ultimately, it’s your ticket from obscurity into the vibrant limelight of Los Santos.
In the unpredictable realm of GTA V, opportunities abound—from investing legally in the stock market to eliminating your adversaries. Each player can find their own path to wealth, because here, survival hinges on success. So, arm yourself, prepare for the chaos, and keep in mind that poverty is the one crime Los Santos never forgives.
Initially, GTA V offers substantial rewards towards the story’s conclusion. When I first ventured into the game, I found myself just another penniless hustler scouring the streets—scraping by with stolen vehicles and spending countless hours at LS Customs while feeling trapped in my aspirations.
However, as I ventured further, I discovered more lucrative opportunities, rendering petty thefts trivial compared to the substantial hauls available from major heists. Whether through thrilling robberies or simply tapping a few buttons on my mobile device, accumulating wealth became surprisingly easy, and the excitement is available for everyone.
8 Profit Through Selling Cars to Los Santos Customs
Drive and Drop!
Starting from scratch can be tough, especially when your primary goal is to create chaos. For a straightforward method to earn your initial income, steal high-end vehicles and sell them at Los Santos Customs; it’s a hassle-free grind.
Cars can net you around $30, 000, occasionally more if luck is on your side, although you’re limited to selling one car every 48 minutes. While it might seem minimal, coupling this with other money-making ventures can lead to impressive returns. This is always my first step in a new playthrough, as each quick sale helps fund essential firepower for the bigger operations ahead.
7 Profiting from Armored Vans
Cash on Wheels
While exploring the stunning landscapes of GTA V, seize the opportunity to rob armored vans, which typically spawn unpredictably around the game. Look out for the blue dot on your mini-map indicating a cash-laden vehicle.
A quick explosion on the back doors and you can snatch the cash in under a minute, potentially earning up to $20, 000 in one go—ideal for new players looking to accumulate some fast cash. These vans frequently appear in Blaine County, and I never hesitate to claim my share. It’s a swift operation, but don’t linger too long unless you want to attract police attention.
6 Completing Maude’s Bounty Missions
Guns for Hire
Following the “Mr. Philips” mission with Trevor, you’ll receive a call from Maude inviting you to partake in bounty missions. Given Trevor’s chaotic nature and penchant for earning quick cash, I recommend taking on the four bounty tasks.
Keep in mind that capturing victims alive earns you $10, 000 each, so consider equipping a stun gun instead of lethal weapons. Even if your target ends up dead, you’ll still pocket $5, 000. It’s easy work leveraging Trevor’s skills, and I find his dialogues irresistibly entertaining, making this mission more appealing than a myriad of street races or other activities.
5 Collecting Underwater Briefcases
Deep Dive!
Throughout the waters of San Andreas, there are twelve collectible briefcases that offer rewards ranging from $7, 000 to $25, 000 each, potentially netting players up to $200, 000. You can pursue these right from your arrival in Los Santos, so grab a vehicle, head to the coast, and dive in.
Switching characters after retrieving a briefcase may even trigger a useful glitch allowing for duplication. The thrill of discovering these cases—often hidden in intriguing locations such as a sunken aircraft or shipwreck—adds depth and excitement to your experience, providing a previously unexplored aspect of gameplay.
4 Engaging in Random Events
Unexpected Payouts!
As you traverse the maps with various characters, bizarre, unconventional random events may present lucrative opportunities. For instance, playing as Trevor might lead to an encounter with hitchhikers, but if you choose to drop them off at the Altruist cult’s location, you’ll receive $25, 000 for your efforts.
Repeat this four times to unlock a thrilling shootout with the cult and potentially walk away with an additional $100, 000. Other events include dealing with psychos or stealing bikes as Franklin. These spontaneous moments enrich gameplay by providing fresh content and a straightforward means to increase your wealth while experiencing the eccentricities of GTA V.
3 Investing in Properties
Generating Passive Income
Post “Friends United” mission, players can acquire properties ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of in-game dollars. However, this investment yields significant returns; these properties generate passive income every in-game week. Hence, you can: recline, light up, or drive around while still accumulating wealth.
While certain properties may demand a hefty price, their earnings can be immensely rewarding. For instance, Franklin’s Smoke On The Water property nets $9, 000 for a $200, 000 investment, while Trevor’s McKenzie Airfield unlocks lucrative side missions and consistent cash flow. If you have ample funds, purchase Michael’s Ten Cent Theater for $20 million, guaranteed to bring in $200, 000 weekly.
Balancing profit and enjoyment is vital, and owning a few properties allows you to revel in the game while diligently earning from your investments. I enjoy cruising around and invariably return home to a lucrative payday.
2 Executing Heists
The Classic GTA Way
In GTA V, players are greatly rewarded as they progress through the storyline. The initial grind may feel daunting, but upon completing even a few heists, your financial situation will dramatically improve. These heists represent one of the most exhilarating ways to amass wealth, combining thrill with substantial monetary gain.
With the potential rewards for major heists ranging from $1.2 million to $20 million, after finishing these missions, the rest of the in-game world will become accessible. In my first playthrough, I didn’t actively chase wealth but ended the story with millions thanks to the lucrative payouts from various heists.
1 Mastering Stock Market Assassinations
Taking Control of the Market
The most lucrative method for making money in the game involves manipulating stock market investments alongside Lester’s assassination missions. This strategy can yield upwards of $300 million, eclipsing every other scheme effortlessly.
The process is straightforward: invest in the competitor of your assassination target, then sell your stocks after the hit, as the stock price of your invested company will likely surge by 80-90% within a few in-game days, resulting in enormous profits. Following the hit, reinvesting in the target’s company can also yield affordable stocks for future profit when they rebound.
Although somewhat tricky, this approach can generate more money than you could ever need—making it critical for players aiming for that top-tier financial status. Below is a quick reference guide detailing which company to invest in before each assassination mission:
Mission Stock to Invest In Sell ReturnFollow-Up InvestmentFollow-Up ReturnPotential Profit Per Character Hotel Assassination Betta Pharmaceuticals 80% Increase Bilkington 30% Rebound $500k-$1M The Multi-Target Assassination Debonaire Cigarettes 80% Increase Redwood Cigarettes 300% Rebound $25M-$30M The Vice Assassination Fruit Computers 50% Increase – – $20M-$25M The Bus Assassination Vapid 50% Increase – – $15M-$20M The Construction Assassination Gold Coast 80-90% Increase – – $30M-$40MSource & Images
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