fav way to make money?

I don't really have a favorite way, I do whatever fits with my Sim. Some work hard at their career. Some do lots of "freelance" stuff like painting, or collecting and selling stuff they find, programming, or playing instruments for tips. Some marry wealthy Sims or have people move in they can live off of. My last Sim actually just moved in with Judith Ward, killed her, and then used her assets to live off of.

The one thing I never do for my Sims is cheat. I do occasionally cheat if I'm setting up a townie's story, to get them where I need them to be, but not with the Sims I'm playing.