Money is the focus of the single player for Grand Theft Auto V. There are easier ways to make money in the game, as well as other ways that might take longer.
Find Collectibles
Collectibles are scattered throughout the game's world and some of them are an excellent source of money.
| Tip 1: Chop is excellent at helping you find hidden collectibles so be sure to take him with you when you go treasure hunting
Tip 2: You can find treasure items up to three times - once with each character - so be sure to return with the other two characters when you net a big cash reward |
Mugging
As in previous Grand Theft Auto games, you can kill people and retrieve any money they were carrying at the time. Note that people in poorer areas will have less (or no) money on them, whilst those in more affluent areas will have more, so focus your efforts on those areas of Los Santos.
| Tip: There are ATM machines in Grand Theft Auto V, so a good place to mug people is when they've just visited one |
Invest in the Stock Market
This is perhaps the best way to earn large amounts of money whilst playing through the game normally. You can invest in the stock market via the web browser on your in-game mobile phone. The two stock exchanges are called LCN and BAWSAQ.
The LCN is the foolproof way to make money from stocks because this market is directly affected by your actions in the game, whereas BAWSAQ is affected by the entire community via Rockstar Social Club and is therefore more unpredictable. Invest heavily in a company prior to negatively impacting their rival's business and that stock, and your profits, will shoot up. Similarly, assassinate a rival company's head and again, your stock will rise.
| Tip: You can invest in the stock market with each of your three characters, so be sure to do so with each before taking on a mission that will have major ramifications on the stock market. |
Looting Armored Cars & Security Vans
If the opportunity arises, then stealing and looting an armored car can be quite profitable. All you need to do is hold it up and shoot the doors at the back so that they open up then you can take its contents. This is especially good in the beginning sections of the game, when money isn't as available.
When it comes to security vans you need to either disable the van or kill the driver to get the loot. The bad news? Both will make you wanted.
Looting Stores
Looting stores is fairly quick and easy. You can hold up all manner of stores. To rob a store simply walk in and point a gun at the sales clerk. He or she will then empty the till into a plastic bag for you to make off with.
Although quick and easy there is an obvious downside to this method: it sets the police on you.
Purchase a Business
In Grand Theft Auto V you can purchase a number of different properties, many of which are businesses that will provide you with a good return on your investment and a steady source of reliable income.
Businesses like the Los Santos Golf Club will set you back to the tune of 150 million dollars, but businesses like the pharmacy ($204,000) and some bars (e.g. Pitchers - $750,000) are more reasonably priced and will net you a 4 digit weekly return.
Random Events
Random Events are similar to those in Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption. As you explore the city of Los Santos random events will occur that you can decide to intervene in. For example, you can choose to help a criminal trying to evade the cops, and this will net you a $250 reward, or you can kill border patrolling rednecks for a reward of $700.
Intervening in random events always results in some sort of reward, however not all give you money and some will result in a wanted level.
Strangers & Freaks
The Strangers & Freaks missions are optional, character-specific side missions that are marked as ? on your map and earn you decent rewards.
Win Races
There are dozens of races to take part in throughout Grand Theft Auto V, from sea races, to main series of missions, to illegal street and offroad races. Street races are particularly of note when it comes to making money, with rewards for winning of up to $6,750. Note, however, that these races have entry fees, so make sure you win the race!
