A Circuitous Route into Money-Making

Anyone who has used Reddit before probably knows about the extensive and maze-like nature of the internet. It can lead you on crazy, circuitous journeys of exploration and fascination (or just plain hilarity). One site links to other interesting sites, and next thing you know you’ve been glued to your seat and your laptop for way too long and your coffee’s cold as ice. My partner tends to seek out maps, population data, and information related to plants on the internet; I find myself drawn to human news stories and off-the-beaten-track lifestyles. What I’m personally interested in are the ideas and experiences of others which I might someday turn into a fully-formed (and fictitious) story.

But today I wandered through the morass of the internet and found a whole set of websites dedicated to money-making in an era where employment is hard to find and money is a scarce commodity. Although I do not promote, support, or vouch for the value of these websites, they are worth a read and a moment’s thought.

The 100 Startup

This website is based around a book by Chris Guillebeau, a man still in his early 30s, who identified 1,500 individuals who have built businesses earning $50,000 or more from a modest investment (in many cases, $100 or less). He writes about the successes and failures of these risk-taking ventures, and helps those trying to identify the connection between their “expertise” and what others will pay for. Obviously, he’s already found his money-making strategy.

Unconventional Guides

A small business (you also have to pay for content here) that attempts to aid people in their quest to do what they’re most passionate about. This site is also the brain child of Chris Guillebeau, who writes soulfully to his followers:

“I started this business as a result of all the questions I was asked about travel and self-employment. The goal is to empower our customers to take control of their careers and passions away from gatekeepers and into their own hands” (Note from Chris, 2013).

I don’t begrudge Chris his success; he’s clearly made a lot of people happy and that’s most important (Reviews and Results, 2013).

Reddit

I’ve already made reference to Reddit, but it’s a wonderful forum for searching and querying for solutions to all of your questions about how to make money in this hostile world. Just check out this post by Apathy_Tic and see all the great responses to his question about self-employment.

Mr. Money Mustache

This blog-like website offers up solutions and suggestions for those seeking to survive financially in our crazy world. The most relevant two posts that you might want to check out include:

50 jobs over $50,000 – Without a Degree (Part 1)

50 jobs over $50,000 – Without a Degree (Part 2)

And if you’re smart, you’ll read through the comments on both of these posts to see where readers have found financial success.

Advanced Riskology

Last but not least, Advanced Riskology offers readers “Better Living Through Uncertainty”. I’m not fully behind Tyler’s goal of becoming one of the world’s top 1%, but I do like his ideas and strategies for success (e.g. Stronger, Better, Faster).

After reading through these websites, perhaps you’ll scoff and claim that they’re fraudulent and a waste of time. Perhaps you’ll be really excited about the possibilities that they offer. Either way, I hope that they spark off some ideas in your head. Across Canada and America, young people are struggling and need to seek out new hope and futures – as identified in these poignant excerpts from recent news stories:

“Two years after graduating from college with an accounting degree, Amanda Coombes expected to be working full-time in her field. Instead, she’s living with her mom and working at McDonald’s. These days, in hard-hit Ontario, a job is a job. “It’s hard for us,” Coombes, 23, said of the challenges she and her fellow graduates face in their search for work in their chosen field. Older applicants, some laid off after 25 years in the business, offer life and work experience that make them formidable rivals.” (Babbage, September 11th, 2013).

“Like so many young Americans, Derek Wetherell is stuck. At 23 years old, he has a job, but not a career, and little prospect for advancement. He has tens of thousands of dollars in student debt, but no college degree. He says he is more likely to move back in with his parents than to buy a home, and he doesn’t know what he will do if his car—a 2001 Chrysler Sebring with well over 100,000 miles—breaks down.” (Casselman & Walker, September 14th, 2013).

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