"I Tried 5 Online Side Hustles in 30 Days—Here’s What Actually Made Money"

Like most people with a phone bill, rent, and a not-so-secret love for overpriced coffee, I’ve always been curious about online side hustles. The idea of making money from the comfort of my couch sounded like a dream. So, I decided to stop watching “how to make money online” videos and actually try it myself.

I gave myself 30 days. Five side hustles. One mission: find out what actually works… and what’s just clickbait hype.

Here’s how it went.


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Week 1: Online Surveys — The “Easy Money” Trap

I started with what everyone says is the easiest: online surveys. I signed up for the usual suspects — Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and Survey Junkie.

Reality check: I spent nearly four hours a day clicking radio buttons for $2 to $3 per session. Most surveys disqualified me halfway through. Some paid in points that took forever to convert to real cash.

By the end of the week, I had made $18.43.

Was it money? Yes.
Was it worth the time? Not even close.

Verdict: Not sustainable unless you value your time at less than minimum wage.


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Week 2: Selling Digital Products on Etsy — The Creative Gamble

Next, I moved on to something trendier: selling digital products on Etsy. I created a set of minimalistic printable planners using Canva — daily, weekly, and goal-setting sheets.

It took me two evenings to set up my store and upload the products. I priced them at $2.99 each and promoted them in Facebook groups and Reddit threads related to productivity.

The results surprised me: I made 9 sales by the end of the week. After Etsy fees, I walked away with $21.30.

Not a fortune, but here’s the magic — I didn’t have to do anything after posting them. Passive income potential? Definitely.

Verdict: Good long-term potential with low startup cost and creativity.


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Week 3: Freelancing on Fiverr — Turning Skills Into Cash

I’ve always been good with words, so I created a freelance writing gig on Fiverr offering blog post and product description services.

The first few days were silent. But on Day 4, I got my first order: a 500-word article for $10. Then another for $15. By the end of the week, I completed 6 gigs and earned $68.50 after fees.

It was time-consuming — each gig took 1 to 2 hours — but it felt more fulfilling than surveys. Plus, there’s room to raise prices as you gain reviews.

Verdict: High effort, high reward if you have in-demand skills.


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Week 4: Selling on Facebook Marketplace — The Local Hustle

I went old-school for this one. I gathered things I didn’t use anymore: a blender, some old textbooks, and a barely-used yoga mat. I listed them on Facebook Marketplace.

To my surprise, all three items sold within five days. I even negotiated a $10 higher price on the blender (thanks to a lowballer who got competitive). Total profit: $94.

Zero startup cost, zero fees. But it’s a one-time hustle unless you flip thrift store finds or buy wholesale.

Verdict: Great for fast cash, but not scalable without inventory.


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Bonus Side Hustle: AI Content Generation — The Unexpected Winner

For the final stretch, I tried something new: using AI tools like ChatGPT to create eBooks and sell them on Gumroad. I wrote a short, 20-page guide called “30-Day Mindset Reset”, packaged it with a clean design, and uploaded it for $5.

Then I promoted it on TikTok and a few niche Reddit forums.

By the end of the week, I had sold 17 copies, bringing in $85.

The wild part? I spent less than 4 hours creating it. The combination of automation and passive sales made it feel like a cheat code.

Verdict: Huge potential if marketed well — especially in niches people are emotionally invested in.


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Total Earnings After 30 Days:

Online Surveys: $18.43

Etsy Digital Products: $21.30

Freelancing on Fiverr: $68.50

Facebook Marketplace: $94

AI eBook Sales: $85
Grand Total: $287.23



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What I Learned (That You Won’t Hear in Most YouTube Videos)

1. Not all “easy” money is smart money. Surveys drained my soul for pocket change.


2. Freelancing pays best — if you have skills. And don’t be afraid to charge more as you gain experience.


3. Passive income isn’t instant. Digital products and eBooks take setup time, but the payoff can snowball.


4. Promotion is everything. I made more money when I posted about my products in the right communities.


5. Try more, fail faster. Most people get stuck watching videos instead of actually testing what works for them.




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Would I Do It Again?

Absolutely — but smarter.

Next time, I’d double down on AI-powered digital products and high-paying freelance gigs, and skip the low-effort, low-pay methods entirely.

If you’re sitting on the fence about starting a side hustle, let me be your sign: try one this week. You might not get rich overnight, but you'll definitely learn what works — and what’s just internet fluff.