The Super-Scrimper Thread!

[Starscream_910]

So we’re always talking about ways of MAKING money… but has it ever occurred to you that ways of saving money might also be just as important?

 

You won’t be saving millions, and you probably won’t see the point of it in the beginning- but I've been using these methods to keep my head above water for ages. They're just small little things people normally overlook, but you could honestly save a killing over time if you change a few habits. Most of it is common sense anyway.

 

Feel free to contribute your (legitimate) methods too.

 

Happy scrimping!

 

-When attacking an armored truck, try using a shotgun instead of a sticky bomb. This’ll save you a few hundred dollars at least (using the pump shotgun, give or take 10-15 shots to kill the drivers in the van + break open the back doors).

 

-Do you really need that second 500k apartment that you only ever use the garage for? You could be saving hundreds of dollars by choosing to trade it in with a garage instead. The trade in will mean you can buy a new garage at a hugely discounted price, and in the long term, you will be saving a lot by not paying as much for unnecessary maintenance bills.

 

-Coming off the last point, if you find you have a 10 space garage that is only ever half full, you might want to consider downsizing your garage size. This way, you won’t be tempted to spend unnecessary money on cars only to “fill up” that space. I did this a lot, and regret wasting that money.

 

-However, in contrast to the last point, if you have a 10 space garage with some free spaces, you can use those spaces to store cars that you can sell instantly (after 45 mins of course) at the start of your next session with no hassle. I usually get the Ubermacht Oracle (worth $8000) and store about 5 of them whilst they're spawning everywhere.

 

-When grinding missions like rooftop rumble, using an SMG as opposed to assault rifles, shotguns and MG’s will decrease the dent made in your wallet IMMENSELY (courtesy of EvilFiend). I find it is just as effective if you play tactically and stay behind cover.

 

-On the subject of rooftop rumble, if you want to blow up some of the cars; grab a random car off the street, have a friend sit in it whilst you douse it with the Jerry can, then have your friend drive into the middle of parking area, jumping out of the car before he gets there. Then simply shoot the car to set it on fire, and enjoy the fireworks at a fraction of the price!

 

-You can also pick up free body armour by starting a survival mission, and then leaving straight after you've grabbed some armour, saving you over $400 if you’re level 100+.

 

-Want to lose the cops, but don’t want to call Lester/ spend half your life trying to escape them? Just join a new session, and you’ll lose your wanted level without spending a penny. If you were in a friend’s session, you can join back straight afterwards. Another method is to commit suicide- just make sure you are carrying no money and don't have any personal vehicles within your vicinity (or they'll get impounded, which is annoying if you're miles away from the impound).

 

-The Fathom FQ2, a VERY common car, can be sold at LSC for a quick $5000 bundle. However if you damage it on the way to LSC, it could incur a cost of up to $300 to repair. To avoid this, just drive it into your garage (with a space), and then drive back out to LSC, and this time try to avoid taking damage. The car will be fixed up in your garage, and costs will be covered in your mechanic’s bill.

 

-If you decide to collect and deliver Simeon’s vehicle request, you know you will have to respray it before delivering. The cheapest option is the Classic Cream colour ($780).

 

-Snacks are a great means of recovering lost life on the move, but if you're in and around a drinks machine, you can recover all your life for just $1 as opposed to the $9-$12 worth of Ego-Chasers.

 

-About to die? Switch to a melee weapon (any melee weapon, fists don't count) before you die- if you die with a weapon equipped, you will lose ammo for it. Also, if you unequip a weapon, you will still lose ammo. Switching to a melee weapon will prevent you from dropping ammo, and save you thousands of $$$.

Edited August 10, 2014 by Starscream_910

[Maxxeine]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Even as a veteran GTAO player, thank you. These will really help me.

[ChrilLe]

Stop working, go glitching.

 

Just kidding - kinda. What ever, OP, great job! I'm sure someone will have great usage of these tips, especially the newbies.

[Starscream_910]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Even as a veteran GTAO player, thank you. These will really help me.

Glad you found these useful! Like I said, over time, small things will add up. I have 26 million legit and I still use these methods XD

[Maxxeine]

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Even as a veteran GTAO player, thank you. These will really help me.

...I have 26 million legit

 

 

How.....how...how?

[BatFerYou]

By not blowing it on crap I'm guessing. I've bought, customised & sold so many cars.

 

I use a few of OPs tips, but I've never shared them in here because I'm a c*nt.

[Starscream_910]

 

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Even as a veteran GTAO player, thank you. These will really help me.

...I have 26 million legit

 

 

How.....how...how?

 

 

"Look after the pennies, and the pounds (or in this case, dollars) will look after themselves" :-P

[JuZ 75]

Make sure you penny pinch, most enemies drop cash and snacks.

In Rooftop Rumble for instance when the documents spawn and everyone goes chasing after them, hang back and collect all the stuff that's been dropped, if you're using the same type of weapon as the enemy you can get your ammo back too.

Edited August 10, 2014 by JuZ 75

[CrysisAverted]

Anyone else pissed that Mors has a monopoly on insurance?

[BatFerYou]

You phone that opera singer from Go Compare?

[JuZ 75]

I always try to start my session by selling a car off the street.

 

Another way of "saving" is to not play musical cars by continually modding up and then getting bored and selling it.

If like me you've got 20 cars to play with try to use a different one each session. If there's one you're perhaps getting a bit bored with, a new paint job can make it feel like a new car without costing a fortune.

[luisniko]

This is so-called Life Hacks to GTA Online. Thanks for your effort, man.

 

I've been doing most of your points, but it seems people are just lazy to do them...

 

Honestly, though. I hope those Rockstar forum lurkers don't try to do stupid things after they read this. Like for example, they can make armored truck completely bulletproof in the next patch to avoid shotgun-user breaker.

[Starscream_910]

This is so-called Life Hacks to GTA Online. Thanks for your effort, man.

 

I've been doing most of your points, but it seems people are just lazy to do them...

 

Honestly, though. I hope those Rockstar forum lurkers don't try to do stupid things after they read this. Like for example, they can make armored truck completely bulletproof in the next patch to avoid shotgun-user breaker.

My pleasure :-) and I seriously doubt R* would stoop that low XD

[A Maned Wolf]

 

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Even as a veteran GTAO player, thank you. These will really help me.

...I have 26 million legit

 

 

How.....how...how?

 

Not hard, I have at least 62 million legit.

[Jobbo]

A couple of ways I save money:

 

- try to avoid using RPG/sticky bombs and other expensive explosives. Grenades are cheaper if you have to, but ordering a buzzard only costs $200 and gets you infinite explosive ammo. Useful on Base Invaders where you could easily spend $1800 on sticky bombs; that's ~10% of your profit gone.

 

- before starting a mission, check how much armour you have left. I've noticed that unless it's a completely full bar, the game will offer you the chance to buy more armour for $500; you may already have plenty of armour. Obviously not bothering to use it is a good tactic, but failing a mission because you didn't buy it is silly. Buying it when you didn't need it is silliest.

 

- when you sell a car off the street at LSC, if it needs to be repaired then the cost of repair is always slightly less than the reduction in sale price. So repair it, then sell it. Not sure when this changed; when I first started playing online the reduction in sale price was exactly the cost of repair.

 

- go into a private lobby and get a friend to recommend you for good behaviour; this gets you a discount on clothes, ammo, car mods etc.

 

- hit armoured trucks exactly on the line between the two doors; this makes sure they drop the full amount of cash. You're expecting around $10-11k; if it's approx half that then you need to aim better next time.

 

- consider phoning Lester to get rid of a wanted level if you're in a tight spot; it might be cheaper than being shot, which can cost $1000 ($500 dropped and $500 medical bill).

 

- I try not to swap weapons in a mission; a couple of shots from each of two weapons means a new clip for both types, but you might get away with no more than one clip for a single weapon.

 

- when robbing stores, if there's a second cash register shoot it for $100 or so extra to pick up.

 

I already follow a lot of the tips above too

[OurJud]

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Even as a veteran GTAO player, thank you. These will really help me.

Glad you found these useful! Like I said, over time, small things will add up. I have 26 million legit and I still use these methods XD

 

I'm level 49 and only have about $83,000 left. I refuse to glitch. Am I beyond help?

[8up local]

i save money by not having it to spend, if i need something then i get the cash to get it. you can not waste money if you do not have it right?

[Dottie]

Even though I have millions. My spending habits usually resemble a broke ass noob. Since I'm content with my garage for now, and I own all weapons and clothing- also Pegasus vehicles, I just spend cash on ammo and insurance.

[Starscream_910]

 

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Even as a veteran GTAO player, thank you. These will really help me.

Glad you found these useful! Like I said, over time, small things will add up. I have 26 million legit and I still use these methods XD

 

I'm level 49 and only have about $83,000 left. I refuse to glitch. Am I beyond help?

 

 

Absolutely not! If you stick to the tips you find in this thread, your journey to a million will be a LOT quicker.

 

That is unless you glitch, which I don't really promote but whatever :-)

[EKGene]

If/when you steal a car off the street and intend on keeping it, and you have a garage, you can save the cost of putting a tracker on it by simply driving it into your garage first. Then, go to LSC and insure it, or don't, as we all know insurance is a scam.

 

[End facetiousness.]

 

Oh, and for RR, just use the sniper (effectively), and you can save quite a bit on ammo costs.

[ten-a-penny]

I might just add some:

1. Keep the chaos that is PvP for DMs. They're there for a reason. I never go into random FR DM's, and never felt broke even though I have a measy 300k. No insurance fees + No ammo wasted on bullsh*t = tons of money saved.
2. If you have enough ammo, don't buy anymore. you have no idea how much this saves me. Heck I have around 5000 ammo on the Rifles and it has never ran too low.
3. Think before you shoot; FR or in a mission. Which one is better, hopping in Fort Z. in the mission Base Invaders and wasting 3 stickies on the Lazers while all you need to do is camping on the mountains hills and using the Heavy sniper to destroy them? It takes around 7-8 Heavy shots to bring one down.
4. Before you drive that car to the LSC, make sure you ALREADY made the colors' choice. SP. Use it. This saves you a BIG TIME especially since the paintjobs are very expensive. You probably already have billions in SP and everything is cheap anyway. Most of the vehicles' colors I got there were tested in SP first.
5. Already got a Buzzard? Use it. Simples. In missions like Trash Talk it can save you alot if you only used the Buzzard,

 

I also have a money-making guide, but since this thread is about SAVING money, I wouldn't put it in. I spammed that list everywhere anyway

 

 

 

Make sure you penny pinch, most enemies drop cash and snacks.
In Rooftop Rumble for instance when the documents spawn and everyone goes chasing after them, hang back and collect all the stuff that's been dropped, if you're using the same type of weapon as the enemy you can get your ammo back too.

I do this all the time in Survivals. Once I even reached 1,500 from the enemies before Wave 4.

[EvilFiend]

So we’re always talking about ways of MAKING money… but has it ever occurred to you that ways of saving money might also be just as important?

 

 

-When grinding missions like rooftop rumble, using the AP Pistol as opposed to assault rifles, shotguns, SMG’s and MG’s will decrease the dent made in your wallet IMMENSELY. I find it is just as effective if you play tactically and stay behind cover.

 

 

sorry but this is incorrect. On Potshot if I use 4 pistol bullets it costs me more than if i use 4 SMG bullets... Just saying

[Starscream_910]

 

So we’re always talking about ways of MAKING money… but has it ever occurred to you that ways of saving money might also be just as important?

 

 

-When grinding missions like rooftop rumble, using the AP Pistol as opposed to assault rifles, shotguns, SMG’s and MG’s will decrease the dent made in your wallet IMMENSELY. I find it is just as effective if you play tactically and stay behind cover.

 

 

sorry but this is incorrect. On Potshot if I use 4 pistol bullets it costs me more than if i use 4 SMG bullets... Just saying

 

 

That's definitely weird. Pistol ammo is the cheapest ammo as far as I know... I'll look into it. But it wouldn't make sense if SMG ammo was cheaper.

 

EDIT: You are actually correct! Wow... I honestly did not expect that, I just tested it right now. I'll change it right away, thank you!

Edited August 10, 2014 by Starscream_910