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Ask HN: What are some easy ways to earn some side money?

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Re: Ask HN: What are some easy ways to earn some side money?

#61

Post by amock »

0cf8612b2e1e wrote: post #58
mndgs wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I read "bookkeeping" instead of "beekeeping" and then thought: what, how is bookkeeping calming, relaxing activity? Well, maybe to someone...

On one hand, being a bookie sounds like a super interesting optimization problem. How to draw the line in such a way that you are always net positive, regardless of game outcome. On the other hand, you have the two worst possible problems: staking your money daily + chasing clients for money.

Bookkeeping is about recording financial transactions. Bookmaking is taking bets.

Re: Ask HN: What are some easy ways to earn some side money?

#62

Post by ferennag »

diehunde wrote: post #36

You could try writing blog posts for a company[1]. I haven't done this but I know people who have. It's crazy what some companies pay for such low-quality content sometimes. [1] https://github.com/malgamves/CommunityWriterPrograms

I don't think I'm a good writer. But this is actually something that can be easily improved over time, I guess.

Thanks for the tip. I might give this a shot. This is something that fits my needs, you can do it in your own pace, remotely, gig work. would be perfect if I was a good writer (and native English speaker haha)

Re: Ask HN: What are some easy ways to earn some side money?

#63

Post by ferennag »

buzzdenver wrote: post #4

Can you acquire new tech skills to get a higher paying job?

Without changing career path, no I don't think so. I'm mostly in web development. I can't think of any skill that would significantly up my salary.

Now learning stuff like AI, or Cyber Security could, but that's a very long process, and basically a change of careers. (I'm not against that, but wouldn't call that "easy")

Re: Ask HN: What are some easy ways to earn some side money?

#64

Post by ferennag »

syndicatedjelly wrote: post #11

Kinda meta advice, but I'd be careful about converting your hobbies into paid gigs. It's a great way to make yourself hate your hobby, especially when it turns out it's not very lucrative and the customers are assholes. I learned this the hard way with photography. People who advocate "hustle culture" tend to not have very lucrative main jobs, or no upward mobility in their current role. So they look for weird "hacks…

> That said, boringcashcow.com has inspired me to try to come up with a simple programming project that could turn over 4 figures a month. It made me realize in software you can just go for base hits, not home runs, and still make plenty of money.

Would you mind sharing more details? Story? What is the app? I am really curious :) If no, that's fine, thanks for the tip anyways. I will definitely check out the website. My biggest problem is coming up with ideas for an app/business.

Re: Ask HN: What are some easy ways to earn some side money?

#65

Post by hereonout2 »

ferennag wrote: post #57
igotajob wrote: post #53

I’ve been trying to do this as someone who doesn’t have a CS career. I have a good full time job but wanted to learn something different and keep my brain engaged. So I learned iOS development, again no CS degree, made an app and got it into the App Store. The goal is to get going on a second app and get that in the store as well. The issue for me is that, since I’m not in the development world, I don’t have any ment…

Funny you say that, I actually started learning iOS/MacOS development recently, my goal was to release some apps on the App Store. I don't have problems with learning and building the apps, my problem is how to come up with an app idea that people would actually use, and I could monetize it somehow.

This is the problem 99.9% of software people have though? Most could write the software for a wordle, flappy bird or Twitter clone.

But coming up with that idea, executing it correctly and having a whole lot of luck is out of reach for the majority.

Re: Ask HN: What are some easy ways to earn some side money?

#66

Post by didyoureboot »

If you have your masters, you could try teaching as an adjunct at a local university at night. Pay isn't bad (relative to the amount of work) and you can stay in the field. Rewarding work, and in some state/provincial systems you can even earn a pension. I get speaking isn't your thing, so that might be an impediment, but maybe it's less of an issue in a more intimate setting

Re: Ask HN: What are some easy ways to earn some side money?

#67

Post by ferennag »

hereonout2 wrote: post #65
ferennag wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Funny you say that, I actually started learning iOS/MacOS development recently, my goal was to release some apps on the App Store. I don't have problems with learning and building the apps, my problem is how to come up with an app idea that people would actually use, and I could monetize it somehow.

This is the problem 99.9% of software people have though? Most could write the software for a wordle, flappy bird or Twitter clone. But coming up with that idea, executing it correctly and having a whole lot of luck is out of reach for the majority.

Yeah, facts. So how to overcome this?

Re: Ask HN: What are some easy ways to earn some side money?

#68

Post by hereonout2 »

ferennag wrote: post #67
hereonout2 wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the problem 99.9% of software people have though? Most could write the software for a wordle, flappy bird or Twitter clone. But coming up with that idea, executing it correctly and having a whole lot of luck is out of reach for the majority.

Yeah, facts. So how to overcome this?

The million dollar question, I'll let you know if I find the answer!

I wouldn't underestimate the luck part though even if you do come up with a brilliant well executed idea.

I've acquaintances who spent years trying to commercialise side projects that have eventually come to nothing. A lot of disappointment but I guess you've got to put the hours in and try something to even have a chance.

Personally always thought the idea of something low key with a continuous income stream sounded the most realistic, as others in this thread allude to. But you still need the idea, the execution and the luck.

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