A lot of people jump into side hustles and end up disappointed. Some take too much time or cost more than they earn back. Here are ten that people often regret trying. Learning from their experience can help you avoid the same mistakes.
Multi-Level Marketing Schemes
MLMs often pitch flexible income, teamwork, and “be your own boss” vibes—but the reality is that most participants earn little to nothing after costs. You’re pushed to buy starter kits, carry inventory, and recruit friends, which strains both your wallet and relationships.
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Even when you make a sale, the commission can be tiny after fees and discounts. The math usually depends on constant recruiting, not steady product demand. The Federal Trade Commission has long warned that earnings claims in MLMs are frequently misleading and that many people lose money.
Rideshare Driving in Saturated Markets
If your city is packed with drivers, long waits and short trips can crush your hourly pay. After gas, maintenance, insurance, and extra mileage, the “headline” earnings often fall apart. Surge pricing helps, but it’s unpredictable and tied to odd hours.
Some drivers find themselves chasing bonuses that are hard to hit without marathon shifts. Data on gig work also shows wide variation in earnings and benefits, which adds risk for new drivers, according to the Pew Research Center.
Food Delivery Apps
Delivery looks simple, pick up, drop off, get paid, but the waiting is what kills you. Long restaurant queues, low base pay, and peak-hour traffic add up to disappointing hourly rates. Tips matter more than people think, and “delivery fees” don’t always go to drivers. You also take on all the costs: gas, parking, and wear and tear.
Online Surveys for Cash
Surveys are easy to start, but pay pennies for long chunks of time. Many screens kick you out after several minutes because you “don’t qualify,” which means zero dollars for your effort. It feels productive, yet your hourly rate can sink below minimum wage. The mental load of clicking through dozens a day isn’t worth it for most people. Good for pocket change, but bad for real income.
Print-on-Demand Stores
Launching a T-shirt or mug brand is simple; getting sales is hard. Marketplaces are crowded, and the platform takes a big cut, so your margin is a few dollars per item. If you don’t have a marketing plan, designs sit there unseen. Paid ads are expensive and can wipe out profits fast. Many creators quit after realizing it’s a branding business, not just uploading art.
Blogging for Fast Money
Yes, blogs can earn, but not quickly. You’ll need consistent, high-quality content, a niche, SEO skills, and months (or years) to build traffic. Ad rates swing with the economy, and affiliate programs change their payouts. Hosting, tools, and images also cost money. If you need income soon, blogging rarely delivers on that timeline.
Vending Machines
“Passive” income isn’t passive when you’re hauling snacks. You have to land high-traffic locations (which may require rent or a commission), restock regularly, handle repairs, and deal with theft or vandalism. Machines in weak locations barely break even. Bulk buying helps margins, but it ties up cash. The concept works with great placement and scale, two things beginners usually don’t have.
Flipping Thrift Store Finds
Finding underpriced gems takes knowledge, time, and luck. You’ll sift through a lot of duds, and shipping can gut your profit on small items. Returns and scams are real headaches on big platforms. Trends shift quickly, so what sold last month might stall now. Without a sharp eye and steady sourcing, the hustle becomes a grind.
Mystery Shopping
It sounds fun to “get paid to shop,” but many gigs only reimburse the purchase, not pay you much (if anything) for your time. Reports are detailed and time-consuming, and missed details can void your reimbursement. Quality assignments go fast, leaving low-pay jobs. After driving, parking, buying, and writing, the hourly rate disappoints. It’s more hobby than hustle.
Dropshipping Stores
No inventory sounds great until you face slow shipping, returns, and customer complaints you can’t control. Margins are razor-thin because you’re reselling common products anyone can find. You’ll need constant paid ads to get traffic, which burns cash fast. One bad supplier tanks your reviews. The model can work, but the risk and workload surprise most first-timers.
What to Try Instead
Not all side hustles are dead ends—some are practical and pay steadily. The key is choosing something that fits your skills and schedule, not just what’s going viral at the time. A grounded side hustle is more sustainable and far less likely to leave you with regrets.
Earn Extra Cash with These 13 Free Side Hustles
When money is tight, having a side hustle can help bring in some extra cash. Many side hustles may require upfront costs to get started, which may not be feasible depending on your current financial situation. Here are 15 tried and true side hustles you can begin today that won’t cost you a penny. Earn Extra Cash with These 13 Free Side Hustles