Bills Must Be Paid Walkthrough: The Four Phases

Quick answer

Walkthrough: learn → build Legacy → finish the tree → pay the final taxes

A full clear follows four phases: (1) first cycle teaches the loop and banks ~40 Legacy Points; (2) rings/bracelets make later cycles snowball; (3) the $250,000 Bail Bond tests whether your build earns ~$50,000/day; (4) after King Piggy, pay the final Taxes to unlock Freedom, then finish the Skill Tree before the last bankruptcy (player reports route from a completed save). Expect roughly 3-5 hours for a 100% run.

Phase map

The four phases

After the ending

Don't reset immediately after the final boss

Beat the final boss with an incomplete Skill Tree and it looks like a lockout — it isn't. Keep playing the same cycle to finish the tree (developer forum reply). The completion trio (Bought It All, Prestige Jewelry, Maxed Out) all want that final cycle before the last bankruptcy.

Video index

Video companions

YouTube videos, grouped by purpose (all are external links; no embedded player, no autoplay):

• Full playthroughs: "Bills Must Be Paid - FULL GAME" and 100% runs (search YouTube for "Bills Must Be Paid 100%").
• Advanced tips: "10 Advanced Tips You NEED to Know".
• Buying decision: "Only 3 Mins To Decide If You Should Buy Bills Must Be Paid!".
• Official: Release Date Announcement Trailer and Official Release Trailer from Rike Games.

FAQ

Walkthrough FAQ

Q: How long is a 100% run?
A: Roughly 3-5 hours in one sitting — nothing needs a second playthrough (player reports).

Q: What is the hardest part?
A: The $250,000 Bail Bond — it forces ~$50,000/day income, the real build check of the whole game.

Q: What happens after I pay all bills?
A: You unlock Freedom; choose Keep Playing to finish the Skill Tree before the final bankruptcy.

Q: Can I do everything in one cycle?
A: Practically no — the tree, shop, and jewelry need multiple cycles; the final cycle is for the completion trio.