In The Sims 4, players often take a hands-on approach to guiding their Sims through careers, skills, and side hustles. But what if you want your Sim to earn money without constant supervision—or even any player interaction at all? Whether you’re running a passive household or testing hands-free gameplay, here’s a comprehensive look at the many ways a Sim can autonomously generate income, assuming proper systems and setups are in place.
1. Royalties from Creative Work
Once a Sim has written a book, composed a song, created a mobile app, or licensed a painting, they can earn daily royalties. These payments continue without any further player action:
- Books (Writing Skill)
- Songs (Instrument Skills)
- Paintings (With rare trait unlock)
- Apps/Plugins (Programming Skill)
Initial creation is required, but after that, income is automated.
2. Investments and Stock Returns
Sims in the Business career (City Living) can invest in stocks once they reach a high enough level. Returns are random and passive. Some mods and lot traits may also enable rental income from property.
3. Retail, Restaurant, and Vet Clinics
With good employee management and the right systems in place:
- Retail Stores (Get to Work)
- Restaurants (Dine Out)
- Vet Clinics (Cats & Dogs)
These can operate semi-autonomously, though periodic intervention may improve efficiency.
4. Eco Lifestyle Income Sources
- Solar Panels & Wind Turbines reduce bills or even generate positive credits.
- Dew Collectors reduce water bills.
- Fabrication Machines can be used autonomously with traits or mods that encourage crafting behavior.
5. Collectibles and Autonomy Mods
With autonomy on, Sims may:
- Find and sell collectibles (e.g., frogs, rocks, crystals).
- This typically requires mods or specific traits that trigger autonomous gathering and selling.
6. Passive Career Perks
- Actor Career (Get Famous): High-level Sims may be invited to gigs.
- Global Superstars: Can receive random gifts or money from fans.
- Royalty Mods can enable even more passive fame income.
7. Video Content Royalties
- Video Stations (Get Famous): Once a Sim uploads a video, royalties follow daily.
- With mods or another Sim filming them, the process can be nearly autonomous.
8. Autonomous Gardening
- Patchy the Straw Sim helps tend gardens.
- Vertical Gardens (Eco Lifestyle) may auto-harvest.
- Bees boost growth and generate honey to sell.
- Produce can be sold directly or at tables if another Sim is running the sale.
9. Off-the-Grid Resources
- Fishing, foraging, or selling found items is possible with autonomy mods.
- Off-the-grid lots reduce expenses and can generate goods for sale.
10. Lump-Sum Events
- Inheritance can occur randomly through chance cards or NPC deaths.
- Child Support via mods offers recurring income.
11. Roommates
Roommates from the University or Eco Lifestyle expansions pay rent automatically. No player action is required.
12. Game Mechanics and Traits
- Kleptomaniac Sims can steal and sell stolen goods.
- Vampires, pickpockets, or unique interactions may occasionally result in Simoleons.
While many of these systems require some setup (a skill, an object, a career), once in place, they can function largely on their own. For players who enjoy observing rather than controlling, or for storytellers running simulations, these methods bring life—and income—to your Sims without constant oversight.
