Spending wisely

In Vesper City every dollar can work for you, or just disappear. Here is a sensible order of buying, from the first week on.

First: things that make more money

• Courses. A course is permanent. Street Smarts costs $1,000 and helps every crime. Streetwise opens the next tier of crimes. See Education.
• A gym membership that fits your stat, once you can afford it (Gym and training).
• Tools for the crimes you repeat. A tool that improves your odds or shortens a sentence pays for itself.

Then: keep it safe

• The bank. From level 8, money in the bank can't be mugged. It earns 0.1% a day too, up to $1,000,000. Bank before you log off (Bank).
• A bigger vault before the current one fills, so a big payday doesn't get stuck in your pocket.
• Home defences (a guard dog, locks, a home safe) once you have a home worth protecting (Home upgrades).

Then: make the money sleep better

• Homes raise your happiness maximum, but each costs upkeep. The first one, the Don's free room, costs nothing. Don't buy the biggest house you can afford: upkeep never stops.
• Businesses earn every minute, but only if you collect within 24 hours, and they cost upkeep too. Buy one when you will collect it regularly (Properties and renting).
• Home upgrades such as a better bedroom or a home gym room pay off over weeks (Home upgrades).

Buying and selling

• The Bazaar (from level 5) is where players trade. Check the price guide: a price near the going rate sells fastest. Remember the listing fee of 1.5% and the tax of 7% when you work out your profit. Buying in your own district avoids delivery fees.
• Dealers (the Black Market) are quick, but gear only sells back to them for a share of the price (40%), so don't buy what you won't use.
• The Fence pays more for loot. Look at his weekly hot list first.
• The Shipment sells rare gear once a week at a fixed price. Arrive early: it is first come, first served.

What to avoid

• Gear far above your level, before your stats can use it.
• Spending your last cash: keep some for upkeep and rent, so nothing lapses.
• Keeping a big pile of cash in your pocket overnight.
• Buying things "just in case" instead of buying a course.

Tips

• Courses first, safety second, comfort last.
• Withdraw only what you need, right before you spend it.
• Plan the purchase, then look at the Bazaar before the dealer.
• More on income in Making money at every stage.