How payback time works in idle tycoon games (and the best next buy)

In most idle games the best next purchase is the one that pays for itself fastest:

1. Payback time = cost ÷ extra income per second.

2. Compare payback across options, not just cost or income.

3. Milestone bonuses can make an expensive upgrade the better buy.

4. Before a prestige reset, compare your multiplier now with your multiplier after.

5. Offline earnings make slow, steady upgrades worth more than they look.

Cash Empire Clicker shows this math in the game: a Best Next card shows the cost, income gained and payback time for every purchase, and the IPO Reset screen shows your multiplier now versus after before you confirm. 11 managers and 12 income assets keep earning offline. No forced ads, no launch paywall, no account. Fictional money only.

Do you optimize every buy, or play by feel?