Short answer: Deliveries and trash dumping are the safest early-game methods. A single optimized route: take a delivery order ($50-100 per delivery), grab trash on the way ($5-15 per dump), and smash vending machines ($20-50 each). Repeat for 1 hour = $8K-$12K with zero police risk. This is the fastest legal-ish money before unlocking dealers.

Early Game Income Methods

MethodIncome Per ActionRiskTime per ActionBest For
Deliver orders$50-$150None2-4 minutesSteady income
Trash dumping$5-$15 per bagNone30 secondsFiller income
Smash vending machines$20-$50Low (public)10 secondsQuick cash
Sell to customers (street)$100-$400Medium (police)1-2 minutesFast money
Casino gamblingVariableNone (with save)5-30 minutesBig multiplier

The Optimal First-Hour Route

Setup: You need the Burned RV area as your base. Buy a trash can ($25 from Furniture shop) and place it at the RV. Grab a delivery order from your phone.

Loop:

  1. Accept a delivery order (prefer ones close to the RV - check map distance)
  2. Prepare the product (OG Kush from your first plant)
  3. On the way to delivery, pick up any trash bags you see on the street
  4. Complete the delivery for $50-$100
  5. On the way back, smash any vending machines
  6. Dump collected trash in your trash can at the RV
  7. Repeat
Loop #ActionTimeCumulative Earnings
1First harvest + delivery15 min$500
2Delivery + trash pickup10 min$700
3Two deliveries + vending15 min$1,200
4Batch deliveries + trash20 min$1,800

Always counter-offer on delivery prices. When a customer sends a deal through your phone, raise the price by 20-30%. Most customers accept. Overcharging on every deal adds $500+ per hour to your income.

Three Early Milestones

MilestoneCash NeededWhat to DoWhy
$500$0Buy OG Kush seeds + soilFirst grow cycle
$2,000$2,000Buy mixing station from Dan's HardwareUnlock mixing for higher profit
$6,000$6,000Buy Bungalow from Ray's RealtyMore space, unlock employees

Trash Dumping: Complete Guide

Trash bags are scattered throughout the map, especially near gas stations, behind buildings, and in alleyways. Each bag weighs 1 inventory slot.

Trash LocationBags FoundRestock TimerValue
Behind gas station (north)2-3 bagsEvery in-game day$5-10 each
Alley near apartment1-2 bagsEvery in-game day$8-15 each
Behind motel3-4 bagsEvery in-game day$5-12 each
Near dumpsters downtown2 bagsEvery in-game day$10-15 each

You need a trash can at your property to dump the bags. The trash can costs $25 from the Furniture shop. Dumping trash does NOT generate police heat.

Vending Machine Smashing

Vending machines in public areas can be smashed for cash and a free energy drink. Method: punch the machine 3-4 times. It breaks open and drops coins ($20-50).

Best vending machines: Gas station (north), near bleachers, at the parking lot. Avoid the one near the police station.

Combining all three methods (deliveries + trash + vending) can net you $10K in the first hour of play. This is enough to skip the grind and jump straight into mixing station setup at the Bungalow.

Community Verification & Resources

Data values may shift with patches. Cross-check against community resources before building your strategy.