How to Make Money in GTA 5 After Finishing the Story
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So you’ve conquered the main storyline of Grand Theft Auto V, witnessed the dramatic finale, and are now looking to build your fortune in the sprawling world of Los Santos and Blaine County. The good news is, the game doesn’t end when the credits roll. There are still plenty of ways to become a GTA millionaire (or billionaire) even after you’ve finished the main story. Primarily, your focus shifts from story-driven heists to strategic investments and taking advantage of the in-game stock market, as well as taking full advantage of GTA Online features. Here’s a breakdown of the best methods to get rich in GTA 5 post-story.
Mastering the Stock Market for Post-Game Riches
The first and most effective method for making money in GTA V’s single-player mode after the story is done revolves around the LCN stock market. However, don’t try to use it like you did during the Lester assassination missions. These are over, and now you can use the market as a tool of steady returns over time. Here’s the trick:
- Save Your Game and Disable Auto-save: This is crucial. Before you begin trading, create a manual save file. This ensures you can quickly reload if your investments go south. Turning off auto-save also stops you from making an irreversible financial mistake.
- Invest in a Promising Stock: Look for stocks that are showing some positive momentum, or those that have taken a recent dip and are likely to rise. Be strategic and select a stock you believe has strong growth potential, avoiding any that have a clear downward trend.
- Rest and Check the Portfolio: Go to one of your safehouses and either rest (sleep) or simply wait for about 45-60 seconds. This advances the game time, and then check your portfolio. The stock prices will have fluctuated.
- Monitor and Sell: Keep checking the stock prices each in-game day. The goal is to sell when the stock is at its peak or at least at a point where you’re satisfied with the returns. It’s best to sell before the price starts to fall.
- Rinse and Repeat: Once you have sold your stock, you can then start the process again, and try to make even more money. Save again before buying any new stock so that you can revert if you need to.
Lifeinvader: A Post-Game Investment Opportunity
A specific stock that often presents a lucrative opportunity after the main story is Lifeinvader (LFI). After completing the mission involving Lifeinvader, the stock usually plummets. This is an ideal time to buy as much LFI stock as you can. With time and game progression, the stock price will rise again, often resulting in significant profits when you sell.
Exploring Other Avenues for Cash
While the stock market can be the most efficient method for building wealth in the single-player campaign, there are other ways to earn cash:
Robbing Stores
Robbing 24/7 stores and liquor stores is a quick way to make some extra money when you’re exploring the world. While the amount of money is relatively low, it can help supplement income. The risk vs. reward is not always worthwhile, but if you’re in the mood for some less complicated money making, this can be fun.
Vehicle Sales at Los Santos Customs
While not as high paying as other methods, you can always sell vehicles you find or acquire to Los Santos Customs. This can give you an influx of money, especially if you find some more expensive cars to sell. Simply drive the car into the garage and select the ‘Sell’ option.
Transitioning to GTA Online: The Real Money Maker
The single-player mode of GTA V has some limitations on how far you can build your wealth. To truly become rich in the GTA universe, the real action lies in GTA Online. The online mode offers a huge range of activities that can be very profitable, far more than anything you will find in single player.
GTA Online Heists and Businesses
In GTA Online you can purchase a range of businesses that will passively or actively generate money, including:
- The Cayo Perico Heist: This is arguably the most lucrative money-making activity in GTA Online. You can purchase the Kosatka submarine and then complete the heist, even solo.
- Import/Export Business: Owning a vehicle warehouse allows you to source and sell high-value cars.
- Bunker: This business generates income, and you can also sell your weapons stock for a large profit.
- Nightclubs: A good business for passive income, these can be very lucrative when run correctly.
- MC Businesses: The various MC businesses (Cocaine, Meth, Cash, etc) can generate a lot of money for players willing to keep on top of stock production and deliveries.
- Special Cargo: Special Cargo warehouses can hold a wide range of valuable items, which can be sold for a good return.
These businesses, along with Heists with your friends, will make you a lot of money that you can reinvest to further increase your earnings.
Key Takeaways
- After completing the main story, the stock market is your best friend in single-player mode. Focus on buying low and selling high.
- Take advantage of the Lifeinvader stock opportunity after it bottoms out.
- While useful in the short term, store robberies are less profitable than the stock market.
- For true financial success, you should transition to GTA Online, where many profitable businesses, heists, and activities are available.
- Avoid relying on cheat codes, as they are not available in GTA V.
By focusing on these strategies, you can accumulate a vast fortune, long after the main story ends.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you rob banks in GTA 5 Story mode after beating the game?
No, you cannot rob banks in story mode outside of the scripted missions. There are no activities that allow for freeform bank robbery. Some mods may add this feature, but these are not part of the vanilla game.
2. Is there a money cheat for GTA 5 story mode?
There is no money cheat code for GTA 5. Developers did not add any codes that would allow you to give yourself money. You must build your wealth through strategic gameplay and the stock market.
3. What is the fastest way to make money in GTA 5 story mode?
The fastest way to make money after finishing the story is through intelligent investment in the stock market, using the methods described above. Store robberies are quicker, but do not pay out as much as a well-timed stock market investment.
4. How to get a million dollars in GTA 5 story mode using a cheat code?
There is no cheat code that can give you $1,000,000 or any other amount of money in GTA 5’s story mode. You must play the game legitimately to earn money.
5. Should you invest in Lifeinvader after killing the CEO?
Yes, investing in Lifeinvader (LFI) after the CEO is killed and the stock has drastically fallen is a very good investment strategy. Buy as much stock as possible at the low point to see a significant return as it recovers.
6. Does killing Trevor give you more money?
Killing Trevor will give Michael and Franklin an even split of his share of the final heist. However, you will be unable to play as Trevor after doing this. There is little difference between this and picking the “Deathwish” option.
7. What happens if I pick “Deathwish” in GTA 5?
Picking “Deathwish” in the final mission of GTA 5 results in the most canonical ending where all three main protagonists survive. You must fight against all three factions that are trying to take down the main characters.
8. Can you undo killing Trevor?
No, once you kill Trevor, that choice is final. You can’t play as him again, unless you reload a save from before the mission, or you start a new game.
9. How much money do you get for killing Michael?
If you kill Michael, his share is given to his family and you get no money at all, so this is the worst option.
10. What is the max money in GTA 5 story mode?
The maximum amount of money you can have in GTA 5 is $2,147,483,647. This is due to the limitations of 32-bit integer values in the programming of the game.
11. What generates the most money in GTA 5 Online?
The Cayo Perico Heist is currently the most lucrative method for making money in GTA Online. It can be completed solo for maximum profit.
12. Can you sell a full bunker solo?
You can solo sell your bunker’s stock when it is at 25% capacity. Selling a full bunker solo can be difficult and may be almost impossible, or require luck and skills to complete successfully.
13. How do you become a cop in GTA 5?
In GTA Online, you cannot become a fully fledged cop but you can steal a cop car and use Rockstar Editor to play as a police officer in Director Mode. This does not give you cop missions or an actual career.
14. How many endings does GTA have?
GTA 5 has three main endings: “Kill Trevor,” “Kill Michael,” and “Deathwish”.
15. What are the 3 endings in GTA 5?
The three endings result in different outcomes for the characters. “Kill Trevor” leaves Michael and Franklin alive with Trevor’s money. “Kill Michael” sees Trevor and Franklin alive with Michael’s money going to his family. “Deathwish” is the canonical ending, where all three survive after fighting off all enemies.