The Illusion of Easy Money: 10 Common Ways to Fail at Making Extra Income

No matter what the song says, “love” does not make the world go around, it’s money. Making extra income is always a good thing, especially in cases of emergencies. However, we’ve all been suckered into believing in “easy” money at some point. In this article, we’ll discuss 10 common ways people have tried and ultimately failed to make extra income.

1. Internet Surveys: The Temptation

Internet surveys sound like an effortless and tempting way to make quick cash. All you have to do is fill out a few surveys and voila, you earn money. However, the reality is different. While there are a few who report success in filling out surveys, most have not been able to achieve this feat. A person has to fit within a specific demographic that suits the requirements of the survey, which is already a narrow pool. Additionally, surveys pay only a penny or a nickel, and a specific limit has to be reached before the payment can be withdrawn. The result is a waste of time, effort and energy.

2. Investments: A Risky Business

Investments have always been touted as a surefire way to make money. However, the old adage, “You need money to make money” holds very true in this case. Most of us don’t have that kind of disposable cash, and if we did, we likely wouldn’t need to invest in the first place. Moreover, since 2009, the stock market has become very unstable due to the artificially low interest rates, making day and foreign market investing as dangerous gambles. Unfortunately, when it comes to the stock market, there is no such thing as a “sure” thing.

3. Medical Testing: A Dangerous Game

Medical testing is not only a waste of time, money, and effort but also puts a person’s overall health at risk. While the money may sound “easy,” treatment for certain illnesses is free, and a small compensation is provided. However, taking more than one experiment at a time is risky as the medication or treatment provided may only make the person sicker. Medical testing only puts the person at unnecessary risk.

4. Selling Bodily Fluids: Truly, an “Ick” Factor

The idea of selling bodily fluids for money can make most people cringe. But those who delve into it may find that the process is very time-consuming, and the payout is very low. Women can opt to sell their eggs, but this practice also takes up time and can be quite painful, as fertility shots are often required. Donations are not a dependable means of earning money, and the practice is limited to strict time restraints.

5. Holding A Sign For Traffic: A Tiring Job

Standing on a sidewalk, holding a sign to advertise a business, may sound like an easy way to make money. However, the job is tiring, requiring a person to stand on their feet day-in and day-out, and the pay is generally very poor. Moreover, drivers may get distracted, making some people dislike the practice.

6. Renting Your Stuff: Not Worth the Risk

Renting personal property, such as a car or a storage space, has become more popular in recent years. However, the return payment may not cover any damages done to personal property, and a renter may simply walk away without paying on time. The practice simply does not reap the rich rewards in the end and is not worth the risk.

7. Illegitimate Work-At-Home Jobs: Empty Promises

Work-at-home jobs are appealing, but unfortunately, not all of them are trustworthy. “Envelope-stuffing” is not a real job, and plenty of sites are designed to sucker good people into laundering money illegally. The best policy is to stay away from these empty promises.

8. Treasure Hunting: A Dream Worthless Pursuit

Who hasn’t dreamed of digging up Spanish gold on some distant beach? Geo-caching, another form of treasure hunting dream, requires hunting for a prize with the use of longitude and latitude. Great amounts of time are required to invest in something with very low return, making it a worthless pursuit.

9. World Of Warcraft And Similar Games: Over-Saturated Market

Searching for and then selling virtual treasure sounds like a fun way to make money. However, the market has become over-saturated, and many have lost interest in the practice. Often, the result is extremely time-consuming with little return, as companies only want positive reviews.

10. Recycling: Not the Easy Fix

Recycling may seem like an easy way to make extra income, but the process is time-consuming, and a lot of recycling has to be done before a profit can be turned. In most cases, collectors have to gather recyclables from others, and the effort involved doesn’t even generate minimum wage. The practice is simply not worth it.

Conclusion:

There are many tempting ways to make quick cash, but most of them are either unrealistic or downright dangerous. It’s essential to invest time and effort into finding a trustworthy way to earn extra income. Although slow and consistent wins the race, it’s essential to remember that there is no such thing as “easy” money.