How to Evaporate Your Simoleons: A Guide to Getting Rid of Money in Sims 4

So, you’ve amassed a Simoleon empire in The Sims 4, and now you’re looking to level the playing field, create a challenge, or simply start fresh without the baggage of a hefty bank account. You’ve come to the right place! Getting rid of money in The Sims 4 is surprisingly versatile, offering a range of options from strategic investments to outright charitable acts. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of how to lose those Simoleons, and do it with style.

The most straightforward way to get rid of money in The Sims 4 is to purchase expensive items. Think extravagant furniture, ridiculously large houses, or a collection of high-end paintings. You can also donate to charity via the computer, or even intentionally get your Sims fined by breaking the law in front of a cop. Finally, there is the “money X” cheat command in the cheat console, where X is the desired amount of funds to set your household to.

Creative Ways to Lighten Your Wallet

Getting rid of money doesn’t have to be boring. Here’s a look at some of the more imaginative options.

1. The Extravagant Home Makeover

This is the classic approach. Take your existing home and gut it. Sell everything. Then, rebuild it (or move to a new lot) and furnish it with the most outrageously expensive items you can find. We’re talking gold toilets, plasma TVs the size of walls, and art pieces that would make a museum curator weep. Consider:

• High-end Furniture: Sofas costing tens of thousands of Simoleons.
• Luxury Appliances: State-of-the-art refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers.
• Decor Galore: Fill every corner with sculptures, plants, and other decorative items.

2. The Charitable Sim

Embrace your Sim’s philanthropic side. Use the computer to donate large sums to charity. While this doesn’t have a direct gameplay impact, it’s a roleplaying opportunity and a way to feel good about your Sim’s virtual actions. It is also one of the quickest ways to give away large sums of money.

3. The Risky Investment Strategy

This one is a bit more challenging, as it involves trying to lose money through gameplay, which can often be difficult. However, there are always ways to influence failure. This involves using your Sim’s skills for financial ruin. Some options are:

• Painting/Writing: If your Sim has high creative skills, start selling their work cheaply or giving it away. If they have low skills, the work will sell for almost nothing anyway!
• Gardening: Plant expensive crops and neglect them so they wither and die, leaving you with nothing but compost.
• Investing: Start a business and make bad decisions. This could be as simple as charging very little for services and buying lots of expensive goods for a store front.

4. The Lawbreaker

This is the chaotic route. Have your Sim intentionally break the law – public urination, fighting, vandalism – in front of a police officer. Fines can be surprisingly hefty, especially if your Sim has a criminal reputation.

5. The “Money X” Cheat

For the ultimate in direct control, use the cheat console (Ctrl+Shift+C). Type “testingcheats true” then enter “money X” where X is the exact amount of Simoleons you want your household to have. For example, if you have §100,000 and want to be down to §10,000, type “money 10000”. This sets your household funds to that precise value.

6. Gifting

While not directly losing money, you can give it away. You can use the “Transfer Funds” option on the phone menu to transfer funds to another household. Keep in mind, you can only do this to households that you’re actively playing.

7. The “FreeRealEstate On” Cheat

Another interesting cheat to get rid of money is to buy a house, and then sell it back immediately. You can buy a house with the FreeRealEstate On cheat in the cheat console (Ctrl+Shift+C) and then proceed with this move in the same gameplay. This does not refund the full cost of the property, and will immediately reduce the funds for a Sim.

Considerations Before Wiping Out Your Savings

Before you go on a Simoleon-shedding spree, consider these points:

• Game Difficulty: Do you really want to make the game harder? Starting from scratch can be fun, but it also requires patience and strategic planning.
• Long-Term Goals: Are you working towards any specific aspirations or career milestones? Losing all your money could set you back significantly.
• Unexpected Expenses: The Sims universe is full of surprises. From broken appliances to unexpected bills, you never know when you might need a financial cushion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I get rid of money without using cheats?

Yes! Buying expensive items, donating to charity, and incurring fines are all legitimate ways to lose Simoleons without resorting to cheats.

2. How much money can I donate to charity?

The donation amount is typically capped, but you can make multiple donations to drain your funds effectively.

3. Is there a way to lose money passively?

Not really. The Sims 4 doesn’t have mechanics like taxes or spontaneous financial setbacks beyond bills and occasional repairs.

4. Can I gamble in The Sims 4 to lose money?

There is no gambling mechanic in the base game of The Sims 4. Mods might add this functionality, but be aware of the risks associated with using mods.

5. What happens if my Sims run out of money?

Your Sims will face a difficult existence. They’ll struggle to pay bills, buy food, and maintain their home. This can lead to negative moodlets and potentially even the social worker taking away children if their needs aren’t met.

6. Does having more children increase my expenses significantly?

Yes, children add significantly to household costs. Childcare (if you hire a nanny) and the need for more furniture and food will impact your budget.

7. Can I evict my Sims to get rid of their money?

Evicting your Sims doesn’t automatically wipe out their funds. They’ll take their remaining Simoleons with them to their new location.

8. Can I intentionally get my Sims fired to reduce income?

Yes, having your Sims perform poorly at work or skipping work altogether can lead to demotions or job loss, reducing your household income.

9. Are there any aspirations or traits that encourage reckless spending?

The “Materialistic” trait encourages Sims to buy expensive items, which can help drain your funds. Certain aspirations might also incentivize purchasing luxury goods.

10. Is there a way to give money to NPCs that aren’t in my household?

You cannot directly give money to non-playable Sims without using mods.

11. Will selling a business completely wipe out all associated funds?

Selling a business will give you a large sum, but you may not get all of the funds you invested in the business back, especially if the business is not doing well. This may also affect the Sim’s inventory of saleable assets.

12. Can I lose money through bad investments in the Get to Work expansion?

Yes, poorly managing your retail store or veterinary clinic in the Get to Work expansion can lead to financial losses. Failing to attract customers, overspending on supplies, and mismanaging employees can all drain your Simoleons.

So there you have it! A comprehensive guide to ditching those digital dollars in The Sims 4. Whether you choose the subtle approach of extravagant purchases or the blunt force of the “money” cheat, remember to have fun and enjoy the challenge of rebuilding your Sim’s financial life. Happy Simming!