Best Ways To Make Money In GTA 5

Money in GTA 5 directly impacts your ability to progress through the game's story and side missions. Many missions require specific equipment or other upfront costs to initiate. From buying the latest weapons and customizing your vehicles to investing in businesses and real estate, money is the key that unlocks countless gameplay options. It's not just about accumulating wealth; it's about gaining the freedom to experience the game in a way that suits your playstyle.

GTA 5's economy is designed to be challenging, with high costs for valuable items and services. Additionally, the temptation to spend on flashy cars, extravagant homes, and an arsenal of weapons can quickly deplete even a well-earned fortune.

When you are rich in GTA 5, you can hire the best crew for heists, increasing your chances of success and, consequently, your potential earnings. Money also enables you to invest in various businesses, which can become consistent sources of income and unlock additional missions and content. Here is a list of how to make money in GTA 5.

1. Armored Truck Robberies

Among the various ways to earn money in GTA 5, robbing armored trucks stands out as one of the most exhilarating yet risky endeavors. Typically, you can expect to make a few thousand dollars for each successful robbery.

To become a master in armored truck robberies, use a helicopter for quick getaways if one is available, and eliminate any guards quickly to avoid taking damage. You can rob multiple trucks in a single in-game day to maximize your earnings.

Preparations

Before diving into the world of armored truck robberies, it’s crucial to be well-prepared. This involves gathering the right tools and choosing the best character for the job.

Acquire sticky bombs from any Ammu-Nation store.
Choose a fast getaway vehicle; sports cars or bikes are ideal.
Opt for Trevor as your character, thanks to his special ability to take less damage.

Locating Armored Trucks

Finding armored trucks is a game of patience and observation. These trucks don’t have a fixed spawn location but tend to appear more frequently in certain areas.

Keep an eye on your mini-map for blue dot indicators, signaling an armored truck.
Frequent areas like Downtown Los Santos, near banks, and shopping districts where trucks commonly appear.
Play during the daytime in the game, as trucks are more likely to spawn then.

The Robbery

Executing the robbery requires precision, timing, and a bit of courage. Here’s how to do it without getting caught.

Approach the truck when it’s stationary, ideally at a traffic light.
Use a sticky bomb on the back doors of the truck.
Detonate the bomb, grab the cash quickly, and hop back into your getaway vehicle.

Escaping the Law

After the robbery, you’ll need to evade the police to enjoy your loot fully. Here’s how to shake them off your tail.

Drive into narrow alleys and streets to lose the police cars.
If available, use a Pay ‘n’ Spray to change your vehicle’s color and lower your wanted level.
Alternatively, find a secluded spot like an underground tunnel to hide until your wanted level disappears.

Risks and Rewards

Robbing armored trucks is a high-risk, high-reward activity. While you can make quick money, you also risk attracting police attention.

Always weigh the potential loot, usually around $5,000 to $8,000, against the risk of getting caught.
Be prepared for a 2-star or higher wanted level after the robbery.
Decide if the thrill and the potential money are worth the in-game legal risks.

Legal Consequences

Every action has a reaction. Robbing armored trucks will increase your wanted level and bring the police after you.

Be aware that you’ll likely get a 2-star wanted level.
Have a plan to lower your wanted level, either by using Pay ‘n’ Spray or hiding.
Always consider these consequences before initiating the robbery.

2. Bail Bonds Missions

The Bail Bonds missions offer players a unique way to earn money while engaging in some detective work. These missions are available after meeting Maude, a character who sends Trevor an email detailing the last known locations of various reprobates.

Maude will send Trevor an email with the details and the last known location of each reprobate on her list. These reprobates can be captured dead or alive, but capturing them alive will yield the full $10,000 bounty. Unlike most missions in GTA 5, these reprobates do not appear on the map.

Aim to capture the reprobates alive for the full bounty, and use the Stun Gun as it is the most effective non-lethal weapon. Pay attention to Maude's emails for clues on the reprobates' locations.

The Four Reprobates

Here are the four reprobates you'll be tasked with capturing:

1. Ralph Ostrowski

Location: Middle of the quarry at Davis Quartz
Strategy: Use a Sniper Rifle to shoot Ralph in the leg, making him surrender easily.

2. Larry Tupper

Location: Large barnyard just south of the Victory Motel
Strategy: Larry will have friends with him. Take cover and shoot at all the baddies. Use a Stun Gun on Larry when he tries to run.

3. Glenn Scoville

Location: Top of Mount Chiliad
Strategy: Glenn will try to skydive away. Use a Stun Gun before he jumps or chase him down after he lands.

4. Curtis Weaver

Location: Dignity Village hobo camp in Paleto Bay
Strategy: Curtis will run away upon seeing you. Chase him and use a Stun Gun to make him surrender.

3. Random Encounters

Random encounters in Grand Theft Auto 5 offer players a chance to engage in unique missions and earn some quick cash. These events are scattered throughout the game and can be triggered by any of the three main characters: Trevor, Michael, and Franklin.

Make sure you have enough ammo and health before engaging in a random encounter, and choose the right character: Some encounters are better suited for specific characters. Timing is everything: Some encounters only appear at certain times of the day.

Types of Random Encounters

There are almost 60 different random encounters in GTA 5, each offering a unique mission and a chance to earn some money. These encounters can range from simple tasks like helping someone in need to more complex missions involving robberies or shootouts.

Unique Encounters for Each Character

Trevor: Can sell his passengers to the Altruist cult.
Michael: Often encounters film industry-related missions.
Franklin: Usually finds encounters related to street life and gangs.

Rewards and Consequences

Completing these random encounters often rewards players with money, but they can also have other consequences. For example, Trevor can choose to sell his passengers to the Altruist cult, which will earn him money but also have moral implications.

4. Heists

In Grand Theft Auto 5, Story Mode heists are among the most thrilling ways to stack up cash. Five heists are available in the single-player story mode: The Jewel Store Job, The Merryweather Heist, The Paleto Score, The Bureau Raid, and The Big Score. Pick crew members based on their skills in driving, hacking, and shooting.

The Five Main Heists

The Jewel Store Job

In this heist, you'll be robbing a jewelry store. The key to maximizing your earnings is to choose the right crew and approach.

Approach: Option B (Smart)
Hacker: Rickie Lukens
Gunman: Packie McReary
Driver: Karim Denz
Payout: Approximately $5 million in total, with $1.2 million for Michael and nearly $300K for Franklin.

The Merryweather Heist

This mission involves stealing from a private military company, Merryweather. However, due to storyline constraints, you won't earn any money.

Note: No monetary gain.
Approaches: Offshore or Freighter
Payout: $0

The Paleto Score

You'll be robbing a bank in Paleto Bay. Be cautious as getting shot reduces the total money you can earn.

Gunman: Packie McReary or Chef
Note: Money lost if crew is shot.
Payout: Just above $8 million, with around $425,000 - $464,000 for each protagonist.

The Bureau Raid

This mission involves infiltrating the FIB building. The choice of entry affects your total earnings.

Approach: Option B (Roof Entry)
Hacker: Rickie Lukens
Gunman: Norm Richards
Driver: Taliana Martinez
Payout: Franklin receives around $240,000 - $242,000.

The Big Score

The final heist involves robbing the Union Depository. Your choice of crew significantly impacts your total earnings.

Approach: Option B
First Driver: Taliana Martinez
Second Driver: Karim Denz
Payout: Over $41 million per character.

5. Assassination Missions

Introduction

Lester's assassination missions not only provide a hefty sum of money but also offer an opportunity to manipulate the stock market for maximum gains by making a particular company's stock tank at a specific point in the game, allowing you to buy it at a low price and sell it high later.

Three assassination missions are required to progress the story but are not the ones you should focus on for stock market manipulation. It's better to do Lester’s assassination missions after you have finished the main story missions.

Preparing for the Missions

Before diving into the missions, it's crucial to prepare adequately. Here are some tips:

Wait until you've completed the main story missions to start the assassination missions. This allows you to invest more money and realize higher profits.
Always quick save before starting a mission to avoid any costly mistakes.
Cycle through each of your characters (Michael, Franklin, Trevor) to invest all their money in the relevant stock.

The List of Stocks and Missions

Here's a breakdown of which stocks to invest in before each assassination mission:

Hotel Assassination

Stock to Purchase: BetaPharmaceuticals (BAWSAQ)
Strategy: Sell Beta after the mission for an 80% profit. Then wait at least three days in-game and purchase Bilkington (LCN). Wait a week or more for it to rebound and sell it before the second mission for another 80% profit.

The Multi Target Assassination

Stock to Purchase: Debonaire Cigarettes (LCN)
Strategy: Sell Debonaire after this second mission for an 80% profit. Then purchase Redwood (LCN), advance the game for two days, and sell Redwood for a 300% profit.

The Vice Assassination

Stock to Purchase: Fruit (BAWSAQ)
Strategy: Sell Fruit after the mission for a 50% profit.

The Bus Assassination

Stock to Purchase: Vapid (BAWSAQ)
Strategy: Invest in Vapid only AFTER you complete the mission. Advance the game for two days and then sell Vapid for a 100% profit.

The Construction Assassination

Stock to Purchase: GoldCoast (LCN)
Strategy: Sell GoldCoast after the mission for an 80% profit.

6. Finding Collectibles

Start by gathering detailed maps that highlight the locations of various collectibles. Choose the right character for the task, as each has unique abilities that can be beneficial.

Tools and Resources Needed:

Maps: Detailed maps highlighting the locations of various collectibles
Vehicles: Types of vehicles that will be useful for different terrains (land, air, and sea)
Weapons: Recommended weapons for self-defense against hostile NPCs or animals near collectible locations
Inventory: Essential items like body armor, snacks for health, and perhaps scuba diving gear for underwater collectibles

Types of Collectibles

Spaceship Parts: These are alien artifacts that can be found in various locations. Collecting all of them unlocks a special mission and rewards you with money.

Submarine Parts: These parts are usually found underwater and require a mini-sub to collect. Each part collected adds a significant amount to your in-game bank account.

Hidden Packages: Hidden packages often contain large sums of money and are usually found underwater. According to IGN, there are 12 hidden packages in GTA 5, each containing a hefty amount of cash that can be collected many times.

Equipment Needed

Scuba Gear: Most of the collectibles, especially the hidden packages, are located underwater. Scuba gear is essential for these underwater treasure hunts.

Mini-Sub: For deeper locations, especially for collecting submarine parts, a mini-sub is highly recommended.

Locations and Rewards

Paleto Cove Briefcase: Contains $12,000 and is located on the ocean floor in front of a detached airplane tail.

North Chumash Briefcase: Contains $12,500 and is located inside another plane wreck.

Pacific Bluffs Briefcase: Contains the most amount of cash ($25,000) out of all the hidden packages.

Altruist Camp Briefcase: These can only be obtained at the Altruist camp after Trevor delivers four victims. During the shootout, there will be FOUR briefcases that show up in the camp with $25,000 each.

Tips

Quick Save and Reload: For hidden packages, go to their location, then quick-save the game. Immediately re-load that save, and the package will have spawned in the specified location.

Use Interactive Maps: Utilize GTA 5's interactive map feature to keep track of the collectibles you've found and those you haven't.