Early Game Money Loop (First Hour)

The opening hours are about capital accumulation. Every dollar goes back into tools that enable better heists.

Step 1: Tutorial Completion

The tutorial gives you starter cash and the crowbar. Do not skip it even if you have played similar games. The tutorial introduces Crime Simulator's specific lockpicking and stealth mechanics.

Step 2: Low-Security House Runs

Target the three cheapest houses from the job board. These have:

• No electronic locks
• Fewer NPC patrols
• Lower police response time

Expected loot per run: about $300-$600 based on community reports.

Step 3: First Tool Investment

After 2-3 runs, you should have about $800-$1,200. Spend it on:

• Basic lockpick set ($200-$400 estimated)
• Flashlight ($100-$150 estimated)
• Sleeping gas ($150-$250 estimated)

Step 4: Medium-Security Houses

With tools equipped, upgrade your target to medium-security houses:

• Better electronics (laptops, tablets)
• More cash stacks
• Occasional jewelry

Expected loot per run: about $600-$1,200.

Job Board Priority

The job board is your most reliable income source. Jobs pay guaranteed cash regardless of loot quality:

• Steal contracts: $500-$1,000 per job
• Bounty contracts: $1,000-$2,000 per job
• Item delivery: $300-$800 per delivery

Complete all available jobs before free-roam looting. Jobs count toward your daily quota and give you breathing room for riskier heists.

Fast Cash Strategies

Route 1: Night Runs

After dark, NPCs are less active and interiors are dimmer. Use your flashlight to spot loot. Night runs yield about 20-30% more loot per house because NPCs have lower visibility according to community reports.

Route 2: Quick In-and-Out

Some houses have high-value items near the entry point. Target houses where you can grab 2-3 items and exit within 60 seconds. These runs are low-risk and stack up fast.

Route 3: Item Request Farming

Once you know what items NPCs request, farm those specific houses. Requested items pay 50-100% premium. A $200 laptop becomes a $350-400 payout.

What Not to Do

Common money mistakes that slow progression:

• Buying cosmetic items early: Every dollar spent on base decorations is a dollar not spent on tools
• Selling to the same fence repeatedly: Price drops after 3+ sales of the same item type
• Holding cash instead of tools: Unspent cash gets lost if arrested. Tools and skills persist.
• Skipping item requests: Leaving money on the table

Mid-Game Money Goals

Once you have basic tools and $2,000-$3,000 in the bank, shift to these income sources: