fav way to make money?

Depends on the sim for me painting or writing if they are creative usually. If they are opportunistic I might make them a painting club and they socialize and sell other's work.. Gardening isn't as lucrative but it's not bad when it starts going. Collecting isn't too bad for starting off. If they are evil they move in a sim and do away with them (keeping their money)... or black widow around. Fishing can be good after getting skilled at it.
Most other sims just go to work and get ahead slowly.