Think about this for a sec, you roll out of bed at 10 AM, grab a coffee, and check your bank account—only to realize your side hustles just made more than your old 9-to-5 paycheck. No annoying boss, no morning commute, just you making money on your own terms.
Sounds like a dream, right? Well, some people are out here actually making it happen. One guy on Reddit, Kamikazi Cash, claims he pulled in over $21,000 from side hustles alone—no traditional job required. But let’s be real: not every hustle is a winner. Some are straight-up trash, some are decent, and a few can seriously change your financial future.
Kamikazi Cash broke them down into different levels, and we’re going to dig into them—adding some extra details along the way—so you know which ones are worth your time.
The “Don’t Waste Your Time” Tier
First up, we’ve got what he calls the “Sht Tier.”* Yeah, it’s a bold name, but it fits. These are the side hustles that look good on paper but will probably leave you broke and frustrated.
Drop Shipping from AliExpress
At first glance, drop shipping looks like a no-brainer. Find cheap products on AliExpress, list them on your own store, and sell them for a markup. Easy, right? Nope.
- It’s crowded. Everyone and their dog is doing it, so standing out is tough.
- The profit margins suck. After running ads, you’re barely left with anything.
- Shipping times are ridiculous. Customers get mad when their order takes a month to arrive from China.
Unless you have an actual brand strategy and killer marketing, this isn’t the “easy money” hustle it’s hyped up to be.
AI-Generated Art on Print-on-Demand Stores
Selling AI-made designs on T-shirts, mugs, and posters sounds futuristic and cool. The problem? The market is flooded with people doing the exact same thing.
- Way too much competition. If everyone is selling AI art, who’s buying?
- Platforms are cracking down. Some marketplaces don’t even allow AI-generated content anymore due to copyright concerns.
If you’re serious about making money with print-on-demand, you’re better off designing your own unique stuff. (Or check out this guide on selling printables on Etsy if you want an alternative.)
The “Pocket Change but No Full-Time Income” Tier
These side hustles won’t make you rich, but they can help cover small expenses or fund a bigger business idea.
Taking Online Surveys
Kamikazi Cash shouts out Prolific, which actually pays you for your time—even if you get rejected from a survey. That’s rare. Most survey sites will kick you out mid-way without paying a cent.
But let’s be honest, survey money isn’t life-changing. You might make $10-$50 a month if you really commit, but that’s gas money at best.
Geomining with Crypto Apps
Ever heard of Coin App? It’s an app that rewards you with cryptocurrency just for driving around. If you’re already making deliveries with Uber Eats or DoorDash, this is an easy way to make some bonus cash.
And speaking of Uber Eats, here’s how you can make even more money delivering food without wasting extra gas.
Dumpster Diving for Scrap Metal
Yeah, it sounds nasty, but people actually make money collecting scrap metal from construction sites and selling it to recycling centers. If you don’t mind getting dirty, this one can bring in solid cash.
The “Now We’re Talking” Tier
These side hustles take a little more effort, but they can start bringing in real money.
Focus Groups
Companies will pay you good money to hear your thoughts on products, ads, and trends. Kamikazi Cash recommends User Interviews and HiveMind, where you can make $100 or more for a one-hour session.
That’s way better than filling out online surveys all day.
Flipping Free Stuff
Did you know Amazon sellers will sometimes give you free products in exchange for reviews? Some of them even refund you after purchase, meaning you get the product for free—and can resell it for pure profit.
If you’re into flipping things, this guide on turning old furniture into cash might be right up your alley.
Bank and Broker Churning
Banks and brokerage firms love giving out sign-up bonuses. Open an account, meet a few conditions, and they’ll throw free money at you—sometimes hundreds of dollars. Websites like Doctor of Credit track the best offers, making it easier to stack multiple bonuses over time.
The “Serious Money” Tier
Now we’re talking real money—the kind that can actually replace your job.
Bank Churning
This is just bank bonus stacking on steroids. Some banks even let you fund new accounts with a credit card, which means you can double-dip on rewards.
But be careful—if you open and close too many accounts, banks might flag you as a churner and deny you future bonuses.
Credit Card Churning
This is the ultimate travel hacker move. You sign up for credit cards with massive sign-up bonuses, hit the spending requirement (without going into debt), and cash in on free money, flights, or hotel stays.
But if you’re not financially disciplined, this can backfire fast—so tread carefully. Here’s a breakdown of money mistakes to avoid so you don’t end up in credit card debt.
Selling Plasma
Yep, you can legally sell your blood plasma for cash. Centers like BioLife, CSL Plasma, and Biomat pay $60 to $80 per donation, and you can do it twice a week. That’s up to $640 a month just for sitting in a chair for an hour.
If you’re curious about how plasma donation works, check out the Wikipedia page on blood plasma donation for more details.
Avoiding Side Hustle Burnout
Making money is awesome, but if you go too hard, you’ll burn out before you ever reach your goals.
- Pick something you actually enjoy. If you hate your side hustle, it won’t last.
- Set realistic goals. Nobody gets rich overnight.
- Take breaks. Hustling 24/7 is not sustainable—find balance.
- Join a community. Hanging out with other hustlers keeps you motivated.
Wrap Up
If you’ve ever thought, What if I could make enough money to quit my job?—guess what? It’s possible. But not every side hustle is worth your time. Some are garbage, some are decent, and a few can actually replace your paycheck.
Start small, figure out what works, and scale up when you find a winner. Now, what’s stopping you?
