Paying to Play: Why Can't We Make Money Without Spending Money?

The sky has no limits.

Lately, I've been perusing through the heart of the Internet, otherwise known as Reddit. I quit Reddit years ago when I thought the toxicity and negativity was getting out of hand, but that's another story. Now I'm back with a fresh, brand-new account that I use strictly to promote my business. There's already a few things I noticed: Users love the anonymity to bash just about anyone, everyone is looking for "easy" and "quick" money, and you'll get pelted with ads. Somehow, Reddit found out I was a business, and now it's pretty much banning me from posting links to my own articles. Why? Because they want me to pay for their business plan. Otherwise, I'd be "circumventing the rules" and getting permanently banned. It's a tough playing field out there.

I've noticed that pretty much everywhere, you have to pay to play. Almost everything comes with some sort of monetary cost. And somehow, that money always goes to some big corporation or large, established business instead of everyday people like you and I. I initially thought that Etsy would be a game-changer for me and would allow me to grow a profitable business from the ground up. By now, I've written extensively about how Etsy did me wrong, but here's when I actually realized it: What I Realized During the Partial Solar Eclipse.

Nowadays, if you want to get ahead financially in any possible way, you have to have the money first. At least, that's what it seems like. Hard work no longer equals success. Trust me, I'm the hardest-working woman I know. I have a full-time job, plus about 3 or 4 side hustles that have zero action. I'm very grateful for my remote job and will say I got very lucky. But it doesn't feel like enough in this economy.

Well, I'm done playing games. I tried running an Etsy shop, and look how that turned out (hint: liquidation). I'm trying to make it as a freelancer, particularly by posting "gigs" on Fiverr, but so far, I've only received scams in my inbox. It's exhausting: Pay to list. Pay to advertise. Pay for tools. Pay for exposure. Pay for a business plan. Pay to upgrade. Enough!

Here's the kicker: You have to work smarter, not harder. That means shifting your focus from throwing money into the void to strategically investing your time, energy, and resources so you get real returns. Go ahead and invest in yourself. No one is just going to hand out quick and easy money. You have to do the work and use your skills and smarts to get ahead. No skills? There are plenty of free courses out there on the Internet. No time? Make time. No money? Browse through free job boards and secure a stable job that will allow you to pay bills, pay off debt, save, and ideally, invest.

Most importantly, learn and understand the rules of the game. Turn the game in your favor by being open to opportunities, catching scams before they even have a chance, and then, save and invest. And finally, READ! There is so much power in reading and learning.

That's where this blog comes in. I write about my own personal financial journey and how I use mindfulness to navigate it, sharing not just the wins but the struggles. I write in hopes of helping somebody else realize they’re not alone in this. I aim to offer more than just advice. I intend for this blog to be a guide; to help others not just survive the game, but to thrive within it. And the best part? You don't have to pay me anything.