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You can make the world your own in online mode, but the story part of GTA 5 is another thing. It’s still open-world, and you can follow along at your own pace. However, there’s no cheat way to earn income during the story. So, if you want to make money in GTA 5 story mode, you must work. Now, all these avenues aren’t exactly legal. But in this world, the less legal something is, the more profitable (and more exciting) it becomes.
10. Rob Small Stores
We wouldn’t be Grand Theft Auto if we didn’t commit crimes. So, why not combine our love of things not-so-legal with padding our income? Robbing small stores is one of the best ways to make quick money in GTA 5. All you have to do is walk into one of the small shops, pull out your gun, and threaten the cashier. This can go one of two ways:
- The cashier will panic and hand over all the money
- The cashier will go on the defense
If the second option happens, then you know what you must do. Once you kill the cashier, you can loot the register yourself for the cash. Simple and efficient transaction.
9. Purchase Businesses
Not all money-making routes have to be outwardly illicit. In GTA 5 story mode, you can purchase certain businesses depending on what character you’re using. Some businesses are clean enough, while others are fronts for different activities.
Regardless, you look like a successful businessman, and that’s all that matters. You can purchase several businesses, but to generate the most money, aim for the best ones in GTA 5. For instance, Franklin can buy Smoke on the Water, a cannabis-based pharmacy in Vespucci Beach Sidewalk, Vespucci Beach. It’ll cost $204,000, but in 22 weeks, it’ll turn a profit with a weekly income of $9,300. Not bad for some cannabis, huh?
8. Invest in the Stock Market
Just like in the real world, you can dive into the wonderfully heart-racing world of stock investment to get money in GTA 5. Is it risky? Of course. But can you heavily influence it? In most cases, yes.
There’s not always a guarantee that investing in stock will turn you into a millionaire overnight. You can influence things based on different missions or other in-game activities to increase your odds of scoring big. One of the best ways to influence the stock market is through Lester’s assassination missions, of which we’ll address further down.
7. Random Encounters
Grand Theft Auto 5 features dozens of random encounters you can run into with Michael, Franklin, and Trevor. These are often quick missions that provide rewards. How much you receive depends. Some reward you as low as a couple hundred bucks. Others can net you thousands. So, these brief, yet effective, missions are perfect when you want to earn fast money.
6. Collect Nuclear Waste
You’ll have to progress quite a bit through story mode to collect nuclear waste in GTA 5, but once you do, it’s a great way to gain a lot of money. Despite that, let’s be honest: it’s not the most exciting task. But the rewards are worth the effort and potential boredom. Every barrel is worth $23,000. If you collect all 30, there’s an extra $250,000 added.
5. Armored Truck Raids
As you wander the streets, you’ll notice the occasional Armored Truck riding around. Set your sights on it because raiding this truck will net you a few thousand dollars. High risk for high reward, right? Because robbing will always earn you some stars, so prepare to rush out of there before the police gun you down.
When you see an Armored Truck, there are a few methods you can take. You can’t shoot their tires out, so focus on shooting open the back doors, using explosives, or gunning down the driver first. The security officers in the truck are armed too, so be sure to take them out quickly.
4. Street Racing
Street races are one of the best ways to get money in GTA 5 when you want some more excitement. You can earn three different medals, but of course, aim to win. Winning will score you the highest payout. There are several races too, so you can bounce around them all until you collect a nice sum.
Franklin is perfect for the job thanks to his Driving Focus ability that slows down time all around. Use it to run laps around everyone else and come out on top in every race.
3. Bail Bonds Bounties
Another money-making opportunity in GTA 5 story mode involves running down some people who skipped out on bail. This is all Trevor’s avenue with cases given to him by Maude. It’s off-the-wall like most things are with this man, but that’s what makes it more fun. And if you can make money from it ($10,000 per person if alive and $5,000 per person if dead), why not enjoy yourself?
2. Story Heists
One of the most prominent ways you’ll make a lot of money in Grand Theft Auto 5 is through the heists that occur during the story. Not only will you move the campaign along, but you’ll also walk away with hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars. Michael can get over a million from the first heist alone, with Franklin leaving with almost $300,000. So, don’t hold off too long on following the storyline when it comes to heists.
1. Assassination Missions
Finally, let’s jump into how we can connect our stock market investments to make even more money. They’re Lester’s Assassination Missions, to be precise. He’ll call in Franklin to take out a few people, and these people happen to be stockholders. You’ll earn income naturally from these missions. However, keep an eye on what you invest in. The stock will rise and fall depending on who you murder. So, follow the trends, and before you know it, you’ll earn all the money you need in GTA 5.
