It's not just your own heists that you'll need decent finances for, as the whole world of Los Santos is ruled by the almighty dollar. Clothes, equipment, cars, weapons and even that fighter plane you've got your eye on are all only within the reach of those who can afford them. There's plenty of ways to make that money, but there's also plenty of ways to lose it if you're not careful too. Unlike the story mode of the game, your money is divided up into two locations. There's the cash you carry, and the cash you bank. If you're killed, you're going to drop whatever it is you're carrying and some other player is going to gratefully skip along and take it for themselves. Thankfully, the game gives you a little nudge whenever you've got more than $5,000 on your person, so make your way immediately to the nearest ATM and deposit it. Conserving money in the early stages is also vital. The heists come with huge financial rewards, so hold off on buying a sports car or a sharp suit until you've got cash to burn. A cheap rifle with a few rounds and whatever cars you can jack are more than sufficient to get you through the early stages. Likewise, don't blow money on a cheap apartment or a garage early on and you'll have a lovely little pad with a lots of space for cars in no time. Play the long game.
WhatCulture's Managing Editor and Chief Reporter | Previously seen in Vice, Esquire, FourFourTwo, Sabotage Times, Loaded, The Set Pieces, and Mundial Magazine