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inZOI Money Strategies: Effective Ways to Earn Meow

Meow is the lifeblood of your Zois' existence in inZOI. From furnishing their first apartment to buying groceries, pursuing hobbies, or enjoying a night out, nearly everything requires this in-game currency. While starting capital helps, building sustainable wealth requires a strategy. Fortunately, inZOI offers diverse ways to earn Meow, catering to different playstyles and Zoi personalities.

This guide explores the most effective money-making strategies, ranging from stable employment to creative ventures and even some opportunistic (or illicit) methods.

See Also: Early Game Money Tips | Official Money Cheat

1. Traditional Employment: Careers and Promotions​

The most straightforward and reliable income source is holding down a job.

  • Finding Work: Use the Career app on your Zoi's Smartphone (P) to browse and apply for jobs. Check eligibility (age, city) and pay rates. See How to Get a Job Guide.
  • Active vs. Rabbit Hole:
    • Active Jobs: Require direct participation at the workplace, completing timed tasks. Often lead to faster promotions if tasks are done well. Good for engaged play. Examples: Idol Trainee, Convenience Store Employee, Firefighter.
    • Rabbit Hole Jobs: Zoi disappears during work hours; tasks are selected via a pop-up. Less demanding but promotions are generally slower. Examples: Lawyer, Developer, Office Worker (most corporate roles).
  • Full-Time vs. Part-Time: Full-time jobs usually offer higher base pay and more promotion levels, while part-time jobs provide more free time but lower income and fewer advancement opportunities.
  • Promotions are Key: Climbing the career ladder is essential for significantly increasing daily wages. Focus on performance (completing tasks in Active Jobs, choosing beneficial options in Rabbit Hole events) to fill the career performance bar. Remember you might need to wait for a vacancy. See How to Get Promoted Guide.
  • Highest Paying Jobs: Currently, top-tier positions in careers like Gangster/Street Soldier and Lawyer offer the highest daily salaries. See Best Jobs Guide.

2. Creative & Skill-Based Income​

Leverage your Zoi's talents to create sellable goods. The value generally increases with the relevant skill level.

  • Art: Painting: Purchase an Easel (Build Mode > Hobby > Pictures). Zois paint canvases which can then be sold via the PocketMarket app or directly from the easel/inventory. Higher skill = more valuable art.
  • Critical Thinking: Writing: Use a computer to write books in various genres (unlocked by skill level). Completed digital books can be sold instantly via the computer interface. Quality and value increase with skill.
  • Programming: Software/Games: Use a computer to develop utility apps, games, or even antivirus software (options unlock with skill level). These digital products sell instantly via the computer upon completion.
  • Instrument: Music Composition: Once a Zoi reaches Instrument level 2, they can use a computer to compose music (various genres unlock with skill). Completed compositions sell instantly.
  • Media Production: Videos: Use a computer to edit and produce videos (types unlock with skill level). These can be sold instantly upon completion.
  • Gardening: Bonsai Shaping: Shaping bonsai trees (requires Bonsai Pot Stand) produces a physical item that can be sold. Higher skill leads to more valuable bonsai forms. Selling harvested produce might also be possible but likely less lucrative.
  • Crafting (Future Potential): While primarily for personal use now, future updates or mods might allow selling custom-crafted furniture or 3D Printed items.

3. Resourceful & Opportunistic Methods​

Make money from the environment or by selling unwanted items.

  • Fishing: Catch fish at designated spots. Sell valuable catches directly, or fillet some fish to use in potentially valuable cooking recipes (like Flatfish Sushi). Even junk caught can sometimes be sold.
  • Flea Market/Secondhand Sales: Sell unwanted small items (gifts received, items found, low-value creations) directly from inventory or by placing them on a purchased Flea Market Stall (Build Mode > Furniture > Social Event). Items sell automatically over time to NPC Zois.
  • Lottery Tickets: Buy tickets for 5 Meow at Lottery Stands. Winnings are random, but good Karma or lucky moodlets can increase chances of winning small amounts frequently, or even hitting a jackpot. It's a gamble, not a reliable income.

4. Financial Management (Limited Earning)​

  • Bank Deposits: You can open an account and deposit Meow at a bank (Narae Bank or Southwest Bank). You'll earn a small amount of interest over time (currently seems very low yield).
  • Bank Loans: You can get money via loans, but this needs to be repaid and isn't truly earning money.

5. Illicit Activities (High Risk, Moderate Reward)​

Zois with Bad Karma can pursue criminal activities, but they come with significant risks.

  • Hacking ATMs: Requires Bad Karma and some Programming skill. Success yields a small amount of Meow (e.g., 250). Failure risks electrocution death or getting arrested.
  • Hacking Banks: Requires high Programming skill (Level 10) and likely Bad Karma. Involves a risk/reward mini-game. Success yields more Meow (e.g., 1000), but failure can result in fines. Can only be attempted periodically (e.g., every 3 days).
  • Secondhand Scams: An option likely tied to Programming/Bad Karma (details emerging).
  • Extortion: An interaction available at Bad Karma levels, demanding money from others. High risk of relationship damage and police involvement.

Warning: Criminal activities negatively impact Karma, can lead to jail time, severe relationship decay, and even Zoi death. The monetary rewards are often not worth the significant risks involved compared to legitimate methods.

6. The Ultimate Shortcut: Official Money Cheat​

If you prefer to bypass the economic simulation entirely:

  • How: Open Psycat's Guide (book icon, bottom-right UI).
  • Action: Click the "Use Money Cheat" button.
  • Result: Instantly adds 100,000 Meow to the active household. Can be used repeatedly.

Tips for Maximizing Income​

  • Focus Skills: If relying on creative income, dedicate time to leveling the relevant skill quickly to increase product value.
  • Combine Methods: Don't rely on just one source. Have a job and a side hustle like painting or programming.
  • Time Management: Balance work hours, skill-building time, creative pursuits, and fulfilling basic needs. Use faster time speeds strategically.
  • Invest in Tools: Better computers, easels, or instruments might speed up creation or improve quality, leading to faster income generation over time.
  • Budgeting: Avoid unnecessary lavish spending early on. Focus on essentials and income-generating items first.

inZOI provides a wealth of options for funding your Zois' lives. Choose the strategies that best fit your preferred playstyle, your Zois' personalities and skills, and enjoy building their fortune (or just cheat!).