Keep a working cash reserve
Vice City has no built-in money cheat. Story payouts and completed businesses fund property purchases. Reserve $70,000 for Print Works if the story is your immediate goal, then complete its missions. An asset pays only after its own activity has been finished; revisit its pickup instead of treating the purchase as instant income.
- Boatyard: $10,000; Cherry Popper: $20,000; Pole Position: $30,000.
- Kaufman Cabs: $40,000; Sunshine Autos: $50,000; InterGlobal Studios: $60,000.
- Print Works: $70,000; Malibu Club: $120,000.
Use the objective, not just the map icon
The eight purchased businesses cost $400,000 in total. At Pole Position, spend $300 in the private dance room to activate its revenue. Sunshine Autos uses import lists rather than an ordinary story marker. Keep enough money for weapons and armor while working toward the next purchase; the cheapest asset is only useful when you can complete its activity.