In GTA V Story Mode, the fastest way to go from "scraping by" to living like a king isn't some endless robbery loop. It's timing, and it's patience. If you're chasing the big money, treat the stock market like your real heist, and keep your powder dry until it matters. I always tell new players to bookmark GTA 5 Money and then do the one thing most people won't: resist Lester's assassination missions until after you've wrapped the main story and your crew's actually sitting on serious cash.
Hold Lester Until You Can Actually Move Markets
Those assassination jobs are basically a money printer, but only if you've got money to feed into it. Run them too early and you're just making "nice" profits, not life-changing ones. After "The Big Score," invest with all three characters before each hit, follow the obvious hints, and don't panic-sell. Give it a couple in-game days, watch the price climb, then cash out near the peak. People mess this up by selling the moment they see green. Don't. Let it breathe, take the win, then rotate into the rebound stock if the setup calls for it.
Heists Are For Cashflow, Not The Endgame
During the campaign you still need spending money, and heists are how you keep the lights on. The trick is crew choice. It's real tempting to hire the "best" driver or gunman, but their cut can sting more than a botched getaway. A cheaper hire with decent stats often gets the job done, especially if you're not playing reckless. Pick your approach, keep the plan simple, and protect the take. That difference in percentages adds up across missions, and you'll feel it later when you're finally ready to throw millions into the market.
Side Money That Doesn't Feel Like A Chore
If you're early game and broke, do the stuff that pays fast without turning into a grind you hate. Armored vans are basically walking deposits—crack them, grab the cash, disappear. Store robberies are fine for pocket change, but they're not a plan. Also, random events can be sneaky-good. Help the right person and you might get a payout later, sometimes even a nudge toward a profitable move. And if you like roaming, grab scuba gear and sweep the coastline for underwater briefcases. It's not glamorous, but it stacks, and the save-reload trick is there if you don't mind bending the rules a bit.
Make It Passive And Keep Your Options Open
Once you've got breathing room, start thinking like someone who doesn't want to hustle every minute. Properties can look overpriced, but steady weekly income takes the edge off ammo bills and upgrades, and some locations come with side work that's actually fun. Mix that with Trevor's McKenzie Field runs when you want quick action, and you've got a routine that supports the bigger play: saving your assassination triggers for maximum stock gains. If you'd rather skip some of the slow buildup and focus on enjoying the game's toys, plenty of players also look at services like RSVSR for game currency or items, so they can spend more time driving, flying, and experimenting instead of counting every dollar.
