The Biggest Lie Told to Young People
The biggest lie young people are told when they’re 18, 19, and 20 is to go to university and expect a guaranteed high-paying job. This lie is drilled into them through the school system and reinforced by parents stuck in the past. While it might have been true in older times, it’s not the reality anymore.
The Truth About Degrees and Side Hustles
Don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying studying is a waste of time. Many degrees are very useful, and the student experience is unforgettable. However, relying solely on a degree to make you rich isn’t the right approach. That’s why it’s so important for students to start some kind of side hustle with the potential to grow into something much bigger in the future.
My Journey from Side Hustles to Millions
Look, I wasn’t wealthy enough to afford university or academically smart enough, but I always had side hustles. Ultimately, my side hustles turned into multimillion-dollar businesses and made me a millionaire. That’s why today, I’m diving into seven side hustles students can start this year. These ideas can apply to anyone anywhere in the world.
Real-Life Examples, Not Just Ideas
Because I hate those videos that recycle the same list of side hustle ideas, I’m sharing real-life examples of people smashing it. I’ll rate these ideas out of five in three categories:
- Time to learn
- Money required
- Ease of making $1,000 per month
Side Hustle Idea #1: Faceless Short-Form Content
This is Daniel Bitton. Like many of you, he started using social media for fun at 13. Now, at 16, he’s earning half a million dollars every month creating short-form content on Snapchat without showing his face.
Why Faceless Content Is So Profitable
There’s a huge war going on between platforms like Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, competing for attention. The one thing these platforms need is content creators, and money attracts them. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because payouts decrease as competition stabilizes, so jump in quickly.
Real-Life Example: Daniel’s Strategy
Daniel uses existing videos but adds voiceovers, music, and edits to create original content. With consistent posting and multiple niche-focused channels, he achieved extreme growth.
Ratings for Faceless Short-Form Content
- Time to learn: 4/5
- Money needed: 1/5
- Ease of making $1,000/month: 1/5
Side Hustle Idea #2: Investing
A lot of people will argue this isn’t technically a side hustle, but investing makes me around $17,000 per week. Over the years, I’ve built this without a financial advisor.
Why Investing Works
My dollar-cost averaging strategy is simple: consistently buy into the market, whether high or low. Over time, the average purchase price balances out. Index funds, for instance, offer great returns.
Ratings for Investing
- Time to learn: 1/5
- Money needed: 1/5
- Ease of making $1,000/month: 1/5
Side Hustle Idea #3: Discord Building
This is Chris Peters, a 19-year-old on track to make $15,000 a month by building and managing Discord servers.
The Opportunity with Discord
Discord is a communication hub that has expanded beyond gamers. As its usage increases, many people (especially older generations) struggle with its complexity, creating an opportunity for savvy youth to offer their expertise.
Ratings for Discord Building
- Time to learn: 2.5/5
- Money needed: 1/5
- Ease of making $1,000/month: 1/5
Side Hustle Idea #4: Online Coaching
Jack Jefferson quit his $70,000 London 9-to-5 job for his $7,000/month online fitness coaching side hustle, gaining financial freedom and location independence.
Why Online Coaching Is a Gold Mine
Online coaching isn’t limited to fitness—it spans various skills. Personalization can set you apart from generic online courses.
Ratings for Online Coaching
- Time to learn: 2/5
- Money needed: 1/5
- Ease of making $1,000/month: 1/5
Side Hustle Idea #5: AI Animation
Mercy makes $8,000–$10,000 monthly creating AI animations for clients.
Why AI Animation Is the Future
AI is in its early adoption phase, with tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney revolutionizing content creation. Early adopters stand to gain the most.
Ratings for AI Animation
- Time to learn: 4/5
- Money needed: 1/5
- Ease of making $1,000/month: 2/5
Side Hustle Idea #6: Reselling Luxury Items
Ben Gallagher started reselling luxury items online, generating £7.2 million in 2023 through his business, Luxe Collective.
The Potential of Luxury Reselling
The luxury resale market is booming, driven by millennials and social media culture. Learning the trade requires dedication, but the returns are substantial.
Ratings for Reselling Luxury Items
- Time to learn: 4/5
- Money needed: 3.5/5
- Ease of making $1,000/month: 3/5
