How Money Works
There are two types of money in Roleplay Project: cash and bank balance. Understanding the difference between them is one of the first things you should learn.
Cash vs Bank Balance
- Cash is money you carry on your person. You can use it for small purchases and quick trades with other players. However, cash can be lost if you get robbed during roleplay.
- Bank balance is money stored safely in your bank account. It cannot be stolen from you on the street. Most large purchases and transactions require bank transfers.
Think of cash as your wallet and your bank balance as your actual bank. You want to keep most of your money in the bank and only carry what you need for the day. If someone robs you, they can only take the cash on you, not what is in your bank account.
Most shops, dealerships, and large transactions pull money directly from your bank account. Make sure you have enough money deposited before making big purchases.
Opening a Bank Account
Before you can start saving money or making transfers, you need a bank account. Opening one is free and only takes a moment.
How to Open an Account
- Find a bank branch in the city. There are several locations marked on your map.
- Walk up to the bank NPC inside the building.
- Follow the on-screen prompt to open your account.
That is it. There are no fees and no requirements. Once your account is open, you can start using it right away.
Using Your Bank Account
Once you have an account, you can use the /bank command or visit any bank branch or ATM to manage your money. Here is what you can do:
- Check your balance - See how much money you have in your account.
- Deposit cash - Move cash from your pocket into your bank account for safe keeping.
- Withdraw cash - Take money out of your bank account and put it in your pocket.
- Transfer money - Send money directly to another player's bank account.
Get into the habit of depositing your earnings as soon as you receive them. The less cash you carry, the less you can lose if something goes wrong.
Ways to Earn Money
There are many ways to make money on the server. Some are better for beginners, while others require more experience or upfront investment. Here is an overview of every income source available to you.
Jobs
Jobs like trucking and deliveries are the easiest way to earn money when you are just starting out. They do not require any special items, vehicles, or experience. Just show up and start working. The pay is steady and reliable, which makes jobs a great way to build up your first savings.
Running a Company
Once you have some experience, you can create your own company. This lets you set your own prices, hire other players as employees, and build something bigger than a basic job. Companies generate revenue from player interactions, so the more active you are, the more you can earn. More on this below.
Working for Other Players
If you do not want to start your own company, you can work for someone else's. Many player-run companies hire employees and pay them a wage. This is a good middle ground between basic jobs and running your own business.
Uber Driving
If you have a vehicle, you can sign up as an Uber driver. Other players can request rides, and you earn a fare for each trip you complete. It is a flexible way to earn money whenever you feel like driving around.
Faction Pay
If you join an official faction (such as the police department, fire department, or government), you receive a regular salary. Faction pay is dependable and comes on top of any other income you might have.
Stock Market
The stock market lets you invest money to try and grow it. This works best for players who already have some spare cash and are willing to take a risk. More details on this further down the page.
Starting a Company
One of the best things about the economy is that anyone can start a company. You do not need admin approval, you do not need to submit an application, and you do not need permission from anyone. It is completely self-service.
How to Create a Company
- Use the User Control Panel (UCP) or the in-game company creation command.
- Choose a name for your business.
- Select a business type that matches what you want to do.
- Set your prices for the goods or services you will offer.
Once your company is set up, you can start operating immediately. Hire employees, serve customers, and grow your business over time.
What Companies Can Do
- Hire and manage employees with set wages
- Set prices for your products or services
- Generate revenue from player interactions
- Build a reputation and grow over time
Start small. You do not need to hire a huge team on day one. Begin with a simple service, build a customer base, and expand as your revenue grows.
The Stock Market
The stock market is an investment system where you can buy and sell shares in different stocks. If you buy at a low price and sell at a higher price, you make a profit. But prices can also go down, which means you can lose money too.
How It Works
- Multiple stocks are available for you to browse.
- Prices change based on player activity, server events, and other factors.
- You can buy stocks through the UCP or through in-game systems.
- You can sell your stocks whenever you want. There is no lock-in period.
The stock market is a risk. Prices go up and down. You can make money, but you can also lose money. Never invest more than you can afford to lose.
The stock market is best suited for players who already have a comfortable amount of savings. If you are just starting out, focus on jobs and steady income first. Once you have a financial cushion, you can start experimenting with investments.
Vehicle Loans
Vehicles can be expensive, especially when you are new. If you do not have enough money to buy a car outright, you can apply for a vehicle loan at any dealership.
How Loans Work
- Visit a dealership and choose the vehicle you want.
- Select the financing option instead of paying the full price.
- The loan is approved and you drive away with the vehicle.
- Regular repayments are taken automatically from your bank account.
Loans let you get on the road faster, but they come with a cost. You will pay more than the original price of the vehicle over time because of interest. Make sure the repayments fit within your budget.
If you miss loan repayments, your vehicle can be repossessed. This means the dealership takes it back and you lose the vehicle along with any money you already paid.
Only borrow what you can comfortably repay. A good rule is to make sure your loan repayment is no more than a small portion of your regular income. If you are not sure you can keep up with payments, save up and buy the vehicle with cash instead.
Insurance
Insurance protects your vehicle investment. If your car is destroyed, stolen, or badly damaged, insurance covers the cost of a replacement so you do not have to pay full price again.
How Insurance Works
- You pay a regular premium (a small recurring fee) to keep your insurance active.
- If something happens to your vehicle, insurance covers the replacement cost.
- Different coverage levels are available. Higher coverage means higher premiums but better protection.
With Insurance vs Without Insurance
- With insurance: Your car gets destroyed. You file a claim, pay a small excess, and get a replacement.
- Without insurance: Your car gets destroyed. You pay the full price of a new vehicle out of your own pocket.
The choice is clear. Insurance costs a little bit of money regularly, but it saves you a huge amount if something goes wrong. The more expensive your vehicle, the more important insurance becomes.
Get insurance as soon as you buy a vehicle. Do not wait until something bad happens. The cost of a monthly premium is tiny compared to the cost of replacing an uninsured car.
Money Tips for Beginners
Here is some practical advice to help you manage your finances when you are starting out.
Beginner Financial Checklist
- Start with a basic job. Trucking and deliveries are easy to do and provide a steady income stream. Do not skip this step.
- Open a bank account immediately. Deposit your earnings right away so your money is safe.
- Do not carry too much cash. Only keep what you need for small purchases. Everything else goes in the bank. You can get robbed and lose whatever cash you have on you.
- Save before you spend. It is tempting to buy a nice car right away, but building up savings first gives you a safety net. If something goes wrong, you have money to fall back on.
- Use the bank for large purchases. Most big transactions pull from your bank balance anyway, so keep your money there.
- Be careful with the stock market. It can be profitable, but it is not free money. Do not invest your last dollar hoping to double it. Only invest money you can afford to lose.
- Consider a loan carefully. Loans are useful when you need a vehicle quickly, but missed payments have serious consequences. Only borrow what you can repay.
The economy is designed to reward players who are active and smart with their money. There is no shortcut to getting rich, but with steady work and careful spending, you will build up your wealth over time.