How to Take Money Away in The Sims 4: The Definitive Guide

Need to bleed your Sims dry, either for a challenge, a compelling storyline, or simply because they’ve become disgustingly rich? You’ve come to the right place. The most direct way to remove money in The Sims 4 is through the testingcheats true cheat followed by money [amount]. Replace “[amount]” with the desired total Simoleon balance. For example, typing “money 1000” sets your household funds to exactly 1,000 Simoleons. But there are more creative and nuanced ways to manage your Sims’ finances. Let’s dive into all the ins and outs!

Understanding Simoleon Management: Beyond the Basics

While instantly setting a Sim’s funds to a specific number is convenient, the world of Simoleon manipulation in The Sims 4 offers far more than just brute force. Whether you’re aiming for a rags-to-riches story, a challenging gameplay experience, or simply adding realism to your Sims’ lives, understanding the various methods at your disposal is crucial. We’ll explore everything from cheats to gameplay mechanics that can quickly drain (or strategically reduce) your Sim’s coffers.

Direct Simoleon Reduction: The Cheat Code Route

Let’s break down the cheat code method a little further. It’s the quickest and most precise way to control your Sims’ wealth.

Enabling Cheats: The First Step

Before you can use any money-related cheats, you need to enable cheats. Open the cheat console by pressing:

• Ctrl + Shift + C (on PC)
• Cmd + Shift + C (on Mac)
• All Four Shoulder Buttons Simultaneously (on Consoles: PlayStation & Xbox)

A white box will appear at the top of your screen. Type testingcheats true (or testingcheats on on some consoles) and press Enter. You should see a message confirming that cheats are enabled.

The ‘money’ Cheat: Precision is Key

Now that cheats are enabled, you can use the ‘money’ cheat. As mentioned before, the syntax is:

money [amount]

Where [amount] is the exact number of Simoleons you want your household to have. This is crucial. If you want to drastically reduce their funds, set the amount to something very low, like “money 50”. This cheat is your scalpel, allowing for surgical financial adjustments.

The ‘money’ Cheat: Examples

• To set your household funds to 0: money 0
• To set your household funds to 500 Simoleons: money 500
• To set your household funds to 10,000 Simoleons: money 10000

Remember, this cheat replaces your current funds, it doesn’t add or subtract.

Indirect Simoleon Reduction: Gameplay Strategies

Beyond cheats, you can strategically leverage in-game mechanics to reduce your Sims’ wealth. This approach provides a more immersive and often more challenging experience.

The Extravagant Lifestyle: Luxury Spending

Encourage your Sims to embrace a life of luxury. Buy expensive furniture, artwork, and electronics. Upgrade everything constantly. Indulge in lavish parties with catered food and drinks. The key is to prioritize aesthetics and convenience over frugality.

The Unfortunate Investment: Risky Ventures

Have your Sims invest in businesses or real estate that are known to have volatile returns. For instance, the Acting career path can be lucrative, but it also requires significant upfront investment in acting classes and equipment. Deliberately mismanaging these ventures can quickly bleed your Sims dry.

The Generous Benefactor: Giving it Away

If your Sims have the Generous trait, they’ll feel compelled to donate to charities or give gifts to others. You can amplify this by actively seeking out opportunities to donate or showering other Sims with expensive presents. This is a virtuous way to deplete their funds.

The String of Bad Luck: Mishaps and Accidents

Sometimes, misfortune strikes. Introduce elements of chaos into your Sims’ lives. Let them get robbed (although rare), accidentally set the kitchen on fire (requiring costly repairs), or face unexpected medical bills due to accidents. While this can be distressing for your Sims, it’s effective in reducing their wealth.

The Tax Man Cometh: Property Taxes and Bills

Ensure your Sims own multiple properties or large, extravagant homes. This significantly increases their property taxes. Also, neglect to pay their bills on time, resulting in late fees and potential service shut-offs (which further compounds expenses).

The Addiction: Uncontrollable Urges

Certain traits and lifestyles can lead to addictive behaviors. If you have the Get to Work expansion, for example, a Sim obsessed with inventions might constantly purchase expensive materials for failed experiments. This can quickly drain their savings.

Strategic Spending: Maximizing the Impact

The key to effective Simoleon reduction, regardless of the method you choose, is strategic spending. Don’t just buy random items; focus on things that either offer little long-term value or require ongoing maintenance costs. Think of expensive paintings that don’t increase skill gains, or luxury cars that are constantly breaking down.

Important Considerations

• Household Size: A larger household will naturally have higher expenses, making it easier to deplete their funds.
• Career Choice: Sims in high-paying careers will be more resistant to financial hardship. Choose lower-paying or unstable careers for faster depletion.
• Skill Level: High skill levels can lead to increased earning potential and reduced repair costs. Focus on activities that don’t improve skills, or deliberately fail at tasks.
• Game Settings: Adjust the game’s difficulty settings to increase bill amounts or reduce earning potential.

FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about taking money away from your Sims in The Sims 4:

FAQ 1: Is there a cheat to add money instead of setting a specific amount?

Yes! Use the kaching cheat to add 1,000 Simoleons or the rosebud cheat (a classic!) which also adds 1,000 Simoleons. For a more substantial boost, use the motherlode cheat to add 50,000 Simoleons. However, these cheats are designed for adding money, not taking it away.

FAQ 2: Can I bankrupt my Sims completely using these methods?

Absolutely! By combining cheat codes and strategic gameplay choices, you can drive your Sims into complete financial ruin. Just be prepared for the consequences, like increased stress and negative moodlets.

FAQ 3: Does the ‘money’ cheat affect all households in my game?

No, the ‘money’ cheat only affects the active household you are currently playing.

FAQ 4: Are there any in-game consequences for using cheats?

Using cheats in The Sims 4 doesn’t inherently have negative consequences. Your Sims won’t be punished or ostracized. However, it can affect your enjoyment of the game if you rely on them too heavily, especially if you are pursuing a specific challenge. Some aspirations will not trigger if cheats are used.

FAQ 5: Can I use mods to manage my Sims’ finances more realistically?

Yes! There are numerous mods available that enhance the realism of The Sims 4’s economy, including mods that introduce more complex tax systems, fluctuating market prices, and even the possibility of debt and bankruptcy. MC Command Center is one popular choice.

FAQ 6: How do I know how much money my Sims have before using the ‘money’ cheat?

The current household funds are always displayed in the bottom right corner of the screen, next to the Simoleon icon.

FAQ 7: Can I reduce my Sims’ funds by selling their possessions?

Yes, selling furniture, artwork, collectibles, and other items is a straightforward way to reduce their wealth. Sell valuable items at a lower price at a yard sale.

FAQ 8: What happens if my Sims run out of money?

If your Sims run out of money, they’ll struggle to pay their bills, leading to service shut-offs. They may also experience negative moodlets due to stress and anxiety. If they can’t afford basic necessities, they might even face eviction!

FAQ 9: Can I make my Sims work harder to earn less money?

While you can’t directly control their hourly wage, you can choose careers with lower earning potential or deliberately perform poorly at work to reduce their performance and limit their raises.

FAQ 10: Does the difficulty setting in the game affect how easy it is to lose money?

Yes, the game’s difficulty settings can influence bill amounts and earning potential, making it easier or harder to deplete your Sims’ funds. Try switching to a harder setting.

FAQ 11: Are there any traits that make it harder to take money away from my Sims?

Yes, certain traits like Thrifty and Materialistic can make it more difficult to deplete your Sims’ funds. Sims with the Thrifty trait receive discounts on purchases, while those with the Materialistic trait gain positive moodlets from owning expensive items, potentially offsetting the financial burden.

FAQ 12: Can I use aspiration points to reduce my Sims’ money?

Indirectly, yes. You can purchase reward traits that might lead to poor decision-making or increased spending. For example, the “Never Weary” trait might encourage your Sims to pursue multiple hobbies simultaneously, leading to increased material costs.

Mastering the art of Simoleon reduction in The Sims 4 requires a blend of cunning strategy and a willingness to embrace chaos. Whether you prefer the precision of cheat codes or the immersive challenge of in-game mechanics, the possibilities are endless. So go forth, experiment, and craft your own unique rags-to-riches (or riches-to-rags) stories!