Five Easy Ways To Make Money in 2025

The transcription discusses various strategies for making money in 2025. It highlights the importance of continuous learning and acquiring new skills, both technical and soft skills. Professional certificates can help prove one's skills to employers. Freelancing is another option, offering flexibility and the potential to earn money quickly. Passive income, such as real estate or stocks, is seen as the ultimate goal, but it requires smart planning and hard work upfront. For quick cash, gig work on platforms like ride-share apps and food delivery services is popular. All right, let's dive into another deep dive. And this one is, well, it's probably on everyone's mind right now. We're talking about making money, you know, specifically in 2025. Yeah, no, it's a hot topic for sure. Especially, you know, these days. Yeah, exactly. I mean, everywhere you turn, it's like, inflation this and economy that. It's no surprise that, like, everyone's Googling how to make money these days. Oh yeah, absolutely. How to make money, and probably even more so how to make money fast, right? Exactly, like right now. We all need that magic formula. So, to help us out, we're taking a look at this Forbes article. How to make money in 2025. Five easy ideas to try. It was published December 26th of last year. Okay, very recent. Yeah, so pretty fresh. And it lays out, like, five potential strategies. But before we get into the solutions, I think it's good to, like, acknowledge the problem. Yeah, for sure. Paint a picture of, like, why this is so important. Exactly. So there was this card rate survey, and get this, it found that over half of young Americans, they're spending more than half of their salary on just housing. Ooh, yeah, ouch, that's rough. I know, imagine, like, more than half your paycheck gone before you even, you know, buy groceries. Or do anything fun, right? Like, how are you supposed to, like, live? And it gets worse. The survey also found that one in 10 millennial women are spending, wait for it, almost their entire salary on housing. Yeah, it's pretty bleak, to be honest. It is, it's a lot, especially for, you know, people just starting out. Exactly, starting your career, trying to get ahead, it's tough out there. But hey, that's why we're here, right? To dig into these five strategies from the Forbes article, and hopefully find some, like, actionable advice. Absolutely, let's find some hope. Yeah, exactly. Give us some hope, some strategies, maybe even some, you know, inspiration to take action. All right, let's do it. Okay, so strategy number one, the article calls it skilling up. It's all about, you know, continuous learning, especially with how fast things are changing these days. Yeah, it's not enough to just have the skills you have now. You've gotta be constantly, like, learning and evolving. So, like, ditch the Netflix and hit the books. Well, you know, maybe not ditch Netflix completely, but definitely prioritize learning. Yeah, of course, balance, right. But, like, what kind of learning are we talking about here? What skills should we be focusing on? So the article mentions this top 10 skills of 2025 list from Coursera. Okay, I've seen these lists before. Usually, they're all, like, coding, AI, all that techie stuff. Well, yeah, there's some of that, for sure, like data analysis, cybersecurity. There it is, knew it. But it also gets even more specific, like prompt engineering, and get this, applied gen AI. Prompt engineering, what is that, like, whispering sweet nothings to an AI? I mean, come on, it sounds like skills from a sci-fi movie. I know, right? Sounds a bit intimidating. It does, like, are we all expected to become, you know, coding wizards by 2025? No, no, not at all. The good news is the list also highlights the importance of soft skills. Oh, okay, so there's hope for us non-techie folks. Totally, we're talking about things like curiosity, adaptability, the ability to learn quickly. Okay, that's a relief. So it's not just about being, like, a tech genius, but also about being, I don't know, like a lifelong learner. Exactly, someone who is, like, naturally curious, eager to explore new things, and able to, you know, roll with the punches when things change, because let's face it, things are always changing. So true, so we've got curiosity, adaptability, these are good skills to have, for sure, but how do they, you know, actually translate into making more money? That's what we all wanna know. Right, of course. Well, that's where professional certificates come in. Ah, certificates. Think of them, like, as proof that you're serious about learning, and that you've actually mastered, you know, certain skills. Right, okay, makes sense. But aren't those, like, expensive? I mean, you gotta pay for courses, right? Well, the good news is, many of them are actually free. Free, you had me at free, tell me more. So platforms like Coursera, they offer tons of courses and certifications, often for free, or, you know, a really affordable price, and they provide, like, structured learning paths, expert guidance, all that good stuff. Okay, cool, so it's like a cheat code for, you know, leveling up your career. You could say that, and the thing is, the job market, it's really shifting towards this, like, skills-based hiring. Skills-based hiring, what does that even mean? It means employers care more about what you can DO, not just where you went to school, or, you know, how fancy your resume looks. If it's, like, less about the pedigree, and more about, you know, proving you can actually walk the walk. Exactly, and a professional certificate, it's, like, that proof. It's a way to show employers, like, hey, look, I've got the skills, hire me. Okay, that makes sense. It's like a flashing neon sign, right? Skills here, hire me. Yeah, pretty much. It shows initiative, it shows that you're, you know, committed to continuous learning, which is, like, gold in today's job market. I'm feeling inspired to, like, dust off the old brain cells and start learning some new skills. Awesome. But, you know, not everyone wants to climb the corporate ladder. Some people crave, like, more freedom, more flexibility. That whole nine-to-five grind could be soul-crushing, you know? Yeah, I get that. So what about those folks? What does the article say about, like, alternative ways to make money? Well, that's where freelancing comes in. Ah, freelancing. The land of, like, digital nomads and coffee shop entrepreneurs. Exactly. The article describes it as a, like, relatively quick way to start making money. And these days, with platforms like Fiverr and Upwork, it's easier than ever to, like, connect with clients and offer your services. So wait, are you telling me I can just ditch the office, work from anywhere, be my own boss? Well, in theory, yes. But, you know, there's a catch. There's always a catch. Right. So freelancing, it offers incredible freedom and flexibility, but it's definitely not a walk in the park. So it's not all, like, sipping cocktails on the beach while the money rolls in. No, not quite. You're basically running your own business, which means you're responsible for everything. Finding clients, managing projects, marketing yourself, doing the actual work, handling finances, constantly improving your skills. The list goes on. Whoa, okay. So maybe not cocktails on the beach just yet. More like, you know, all-nighters and stress-eating. It can be like that sometimes, for sure, especially in the beginning. But, like, how quickly can you actually start making money as a freelancer? Like, is it really faster than, you know, waiting for that promotion at work? Well, that's the encouraging part. The article actually shares a statistic that most Gen Z and millennials, they're actually turning a profit within just three months of starting out. Three months? That's not bad at all. I mean, yeah, it's definitely faster than most promotions I've ever gotten. It can be. But, you know, freelancing, it's not for everyone. Right, of course not. Takes a certain kind of personality, right? Someone who is, I don't know, like, super disciplined, organized. Yeah, self-motivated, for sure. And probably someone who's, like, okay with taking risks, because it is a bit of a roller coaster, especially at first. And, like, comfortable with wearing a lot of different hats, right? Like, you're the CEO, the marketing department, the intern, all in one. Exactly, you gotta be a jack of all trades. But, you know, the rewards can be huge. Not just financially, but also in terms of, like, personal fulfillment, you know? Building something on your own terms, that's pretty powerful. Yeah, I can definitely see the appeal, the freedom, the flexibility, the potential to, like, earn a good living. Yeah. Definitely something to consider. It is. But, you know, let's be honest. The ultimate dream is making money while you sleep, right? Yeah, the elusive passive income. Exactly, that's the holy grail of personal finance. And the article mentions a few examples, like real estate, stocks, even selling stock photos. It all sounds so effortless, like money just magically appearing in your account while you do, well, nothing. Yeah, the dream, right. But, like, is it really that simple? That's what I wanna know. Is there really a magic money tree out there? And if so, where can I find it? I wish it were that easy. But, you know, the article does dive into this concept of income generating assets. It's about building something that works for you, even when you're not actively working. Okay, so not exactly magic, but more like smart planning and hard work up front. Yeah, pretty much. It's about creating systems and assets that, like, generate income over time, even when you're not, you know, actively involved in the day-to-day operations. So it's not about being lazy. It's about being smart, right? Working smarter, not harder. Exactly. But before we get too deep into the world of passive income, let's address the elephant in the room. Sometimes, you know, you just need some quick cash, like yesterday. What about those situations? Ah, yes. The need for speed. Well, that's where gig work comes in. Gig work, okay. It's become super popular these days, especially for, like, people who need some extra income or just wanna, you know, monetize their spare time. Right, right. And there's so many platforms for it now, like ride-share apps, food delivery services, those task-based websites. It's all about, like, finding those quick gigs and getting paid, you know, pretty much instantly. Yeah, it's the instant gratification of the earning world. Exactly. But, you know, there's gotta be a downside, right? What's the catch with gig work? Well, like anything, there are trade-offs. Gig work, it offers incredible flexibility. Like, you can work whenever you want, wherever you want. But it often lacks the, you know, stability and benefits that come with traditional employment. Right, okay, so it's like treating security for flexibility. Pretty much. But hey, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Totally. Sometimes you just need to, like, make ends meet, and gig work can be a lifesaver in those situations. So that covers the five main money-making strategies from this Forbes article, skilling up, freelancing, passive income, and gig work. We've got a lot to unpack here. We do, it's like a buffet of money-making opportunities. Exactly, but I'm curious, what stood out to you from this article? Like, what really resonated with you? You know, what I found most interesting was how the article emphasized the importance of, like, mindset, regardless of which path you choose. Mindset, okay, tell me more. It's not just about the technical skills or even the strategies. It's about having the right attitude, the willingness to learn, to adapt, to persevere, even when things get tough. So, like, it's not just about what you know. It's also about how you approach things, how you think about things. Exactly. Success in anything, especially when it comes to making money, it requires a certain mindset, a belief in yourself, and a commitment to continuous improvement. It's like that famous quote, whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right. Exactly. Your beliefs, they shape your reality. So, if you believe that you can succeed, that you can make more money, that you can achieve your financial goals, you're far more likely to actually put in the effort and make it happen. Okay, that's powerful stuff. I love that. So, it's not just about the strategies. It's also about the mindset. It's both. You need both to succeed. All right, so we've got the strategies. We've got the mindset. But now, the big question is, how do we actually apply all of this to our own lives? How do we take action and actually start making more money? Well, that's a great question, and that's exactly what we'll be diving into in part two of this deep dive. All right, welcome back. So, let's dig a little deeper into these money-making strategies from that Forbes article. And I think a good place to start is that first thing we talked about, skilling up. Yes, skilling up. Sounds good to me. But we talked about that top 10 skills of 2025 list, and some of those skills, especially the techie ones, they sound, well, a little intimidating, to be honest. Yeah, I get it. They sound pretty futuristic, right? They do, like prompt engineering. I mean, even I ask that. Right, it sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie. But basically, it's all about learning to communicate effectively with AI. Communicate with AI. Okay, now I'm really lost. So, it's like you're crafting these prompts, these instructions that get the AI to do what you want it to do. And as AI becomes more integrated into our lives and to our work, this skill, being able to talk to AI and get it to do stuff, it's gonna be super valuable. So, instead of battling with those frustrating customer service chatbots, we'll be the ones teaching them how to behave. Exactly, and think about it. You could be training AI to generate content or analyze data or even automate tasks, which would make you, well, incredibly efficient and probably very valuable to employers. Okay, I see the potential. Let's say someone is listening, and they're like, okay, prompt engineering sounds cool, but I have no idea where to even begin. What's the first step? Well, that's where those professional certificates come in. Certificates, okay. Yeah, so platforms like Coursera, they offer a ton of courses and certifications specifically designed to teach these in-demand skills. And often, they're much more affordable than traditional education. You mentioned some are even free, right? Totally. A lot of platforms offer free introductory courses, which is great because you can kind of dip your toes in the water before you commit to a full certification program. But how do these certificates actually translate into real-world job opportunities? Do employers actually care about them? They do. More and more, employers are recognizing the value of these certificates. It's proof that you have specific skills and knowledge. So it's like a shortcut to proving your expertise without spending years in a classroom. In a way, yeah. It's about showing potential employers that you're actively investing in your future, that you're staying ahead of the curve, that you're not just relying on your past education or whatever. Right, it shows you're a go-getter, someone who's taking initiative, learning new things. I like it. Exactly, and those are the kind of people employers wanna hire, right? Makes sense. Okay, so skilling up, check. Now, let's move on to freelancing, which the Forbes article highlighted as a relatively fast way to make money. Yeah, but as we discussed, it's not all sunshine and roses, right? There are definitely challenges. Definitely. What are some of the biggest hurdles freelancers face, in your opinion? Well, one of the biggest ones is finding clients and marketing yourself effectively. The hustle is real. It is. It's a competitive world out there, and you gotta stand out. You gotta make yourself visible. So it's not enough to just be good at what you do. You also have to be good at selling yourself. Yeah. That sounds hard. It can be, but it's essential. You need to build a strong online presence. You gotta network. You gotta be able to clearly articulate what you offer and why someone should hire you. So it's like, you're not just a freelancer, you're also an entrepreneur, a marketer, a salesperson. Pretty much, you're wearing all the hats. And what about the financial side of things? I mean, freelancers, they don't have the safety net of a regular paycheck, right? Nope, that's one of the trade-offs. Income can be unpredictable, especially when you're just starting out, so you gotta be really disciplined with your finances. So like budgeting, saving, all that good stuff? Exactly. Financial literacy is crucial for freelancers. You gotta understand things like budgeting, invoicing, taxes, all that. Sounds like freelancing is a crash course in both, like entrepreneurship and personal finance. It is. It's a lot to juggle. But hey, maybe that's part of the appeal, right? The challenge, the freedom, the potential to build something amazing. Could be. Okay, so we've covered scaling up. We've talked about freelancing. Now let's move on to the dream, the holy grail of personal finance, passive income. Passive income, yes please. The idea of making money while you sleep, it's just so alluring. I know, right? Who wouldn't want that? The article mentions a few examples, like real estate, stocks, selling stock photos. Yeah, but those can feel like big, long-term investments. Like not everyone can just go out and buy a rental property or invest thousands of dollars in the stock market. True, but there are definitely smaller-scale passive income ideas that people can start with. Okay, tell me more. Give me some ideas. Well, one that's become really popular is creating and selling digital products. Digital products, like what? Like e-books, online courses, templates, things like that. So you're saying, I could write an e-book about, I don't know, how to train your cat to do backflips and then just sell it over and over again. Exactly, you create the product once and then it can potentially generate income for you, you know, indefinitely. So it's about like leveraging your knowledge or your skills to create something that can basically sell itself. Yeah, that's the idea. It takes effort up front, of course, to create the product, but once it's out there, it can generate income passively. Okay, I'm liking this, but let's be real. Building passive income streams, it takes time and effort, right? Okay, it's not a get-rich-quick scheme. You gotta be patient, you gotta be consistent. No magic money tree, just smart planning and consistent effort. Exactly, but the rewards, they can be pretty amazing. Imagine having like multiple streams of income flowing in, even when you're not actively working. Okay, you've convinced me. Passive income, it's definitely worth exploring, but you know, sometimes you just need to make some quick cash, and for that, we talked about gig work. Gig work, the hustle is real. It is, but with so many platforms out there, it can be hard to know where to start. What are some of the most popular platforms for finding gigs these days? Well, for those who enjoy driving, the rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft, they're still super popular. Yeah, those are pretty well-known, but what about for people who, you know, aren't comfortable driving strangers around? What are their options? Well, there are platforms like TaskRabbit, where you can find people who need help with everyday tasks like furniture assembly, house cleaning, errands, stuff like that. It's like a virtual marketplace for, like, odd jobs. Yeah, pretty much. It's a great way to, like, make some extra cash by using skills you already have, or even learning new ones. And what about those of us who prefer to, you know, work from home in our pajamas? Are there gig opportunities for us introverts? Of course. There are tons of online platforms that connect freelancers with clients who are looking for all sorts of services. So writing, editing, web design, virtual assistants, all that. Yep. It's amazing how many different types of gigs you can find online these days. So it's like, there's literally something for everyone in the gig economy. Pretty much. The key is to, like, find a platform that aligns with your skills, your interests, and, you know, your lifestyle. Awesome. Okay, so we've talked about skilling up, freelancing, passive income, gig work. It's like a whole buffet of money-making strategies. Yeah. But I wanna bring it back to our listeners. Like, how do they decide which one is right for them? That's a great question. And honestly, there's no, like, one-size-fits-all answer. Of course not. Everyone's different. Exactly. It depends on your individual circumstances, your goals, your risk tolerance, all of that. So it's about figuring out what fits your unique situation. Exactly. What works for one person might not work for another. Makes sense. Well, this deep dive has given us a lot to think about. But, you know, our listeners are probably eager to hear about, like, specific actionable steps they can take to start making more money. Yeah, let's get down to brass tacks. Exactly. So, in the final part of this deep dive, that's exactly what we'll be doing. We'll be talking about how to take action, how to turn these strategies into, you know, real results. Welcome back to the deep dive. All right, so we are in the final stretch of our deep dive into making money in 2025. And, you know, so far we've covered a lot of ground. Skilling up, freelancing, passive income, even gig work. It's been a whirlwind tour of, like, the money-making landscape. It has. But now it's time to get down to brass tacks, right? Yeah, let's talk about, you know, how to actually apply all of this stuff. Exactly. Our listeners are probably thinking, like, okay, this is all great information, but how do I actually, you know, make more money starting today? Right, that's the million-dollar question, pun intended. Of course, of course. So where do we even begin? What's the first step? Well, before you jump into any specific strategy, you gotta start with, like, a little self-assessment, figure out your strengths, your interests, your goals. So it's like, know thyself before you try to conquer the world of money-making. Exactly, once you have a clear understanding of, like, where you're starting from, then you can start exploring which of these strategies, you know, aligns best with your situation. Okay, that makes sense. So let's say someone is listening, and they're like, all right, skilling up, I'm into it. But how do I actually do it? What are some, like, concrete steps they can take? Well, first I would say, do some research. Look into, like, what skills are in demand, you know, in your field, or in areas that you're interested in. So, like, look at job postings, industry reports, all that. Exactly, and then, once you've identified some skills that you wanna develop, you can start exploring online learning platforms. The ones we talked about before, like Coursera, ADX, all those. Yep, those are great places to start. And most of them offer, you know, a mix of free and paid courses, so you can find something that fits your budget. Okay, cool, so it's about being proactive, taking ownership of your, you know, professional development. Exactly, don't wait for someone to, like, hand you opportunities. Go out there and create them for yourself. I love that. Okay, now, what about those folks who are, like, drawn to the freedom and flexibility of freelancing? Where should they begin? Well, first things first, you gotta figure out your niche, you know? What are you really good at? What services can you offer that are in demand? Right, so it's not just about, like, I wanna be a freelancer, it's about, I wanna be a freelancer who does this. Exactly, you gotta specialize. And then, once you got your niche figured out, you gotta start building your online presence. Showcase your skills, your experience, make yourself visible. So, like, a website, a portfolio, social media, all that? All of that, treat yourself like a business, you know? Invest in your brand, network with other freelancers, get your name out there. The hustle is real. But it sounds exciting, too. It can be, but it's definitely not for the faint of heart. You gotta be willing to put in the work. And, you know, speaking of work, freelancers, they also have to deal with, like, the financial side of things, right? Budgeting, invoicing, taxes, all that fun stuff. Oh, yeah, for sure. Financial literacy is, like, essential for any freelancer. You gotta stay organized, track your income and expenses, set aside money for taxes. So, it's not just about making money, it's also about managing it wisely. Exactly. Otherwise, you can get into trouble pretty quickly. Okay, good to know. Now, let's talk about passive income. We discussed real estate, stocks, selling stock photos. But, you know, those can feel like pretty big investments, especially for someone who's just starting out. Yeah, they can be. But remember, there are also, like, smaller-scale passive income ideas that you can explore. Right, the digital products we talked about before, like e-books and online courses. Exactly. Those are a great way to dip your toes into the world of passive income without, you know, breaking the bank. Okay, cool. And for those who need to make some quick cash, we talked about gig work. Any tips for, like, maximizing earnings on those platforms? Yeah, definitely. First, focus on gigs that pay well and that align with your skills, you know? Don't waste your time on low-paying gigs that you don't even enjoy. Right, work smarter, not harder. Exactly. And don't be afraid to, like, negotiate rates, especially if you have experience or specialized skills. Ooh, good point. Know your worth. Yes. And consider working during, like, peak hours or maybe even taking on multiple gigs at once if you can handle it. It's all about, you know, maximizing your time and effort. All right, so we've covered a lot of ground here, skilling up, freelancing, passive income, gig work, but what's the, like, the most important takeaway from all of this? You know, I think the biggest takeaway is that there are so many different paths to financial success, and it's really about finding the one that's right for you. There's no, like, magic formula, no one-size-fits-all solution. So it's about figuring out what works for your unique situation, your goals, your personality, all of that. Exactly, what works for one person might not work for another. It's all about finding your own path. I love that. And regardless of which path you choose, what's one, like, crucial mindset shift that can help you succeed? Embrace continuous learning. The world is constantly changing, so you gotta be willing to adapt, to grow, to learn new things. Never stop investing in yourself. Powerful advice. And on that note, I think it's time to wrap up this deep dive. Sounds good to me. So to our listeners, remember, the future is yours to create. Go out there, explore the possibilities, take action, and start building the financial future that you envision for yourself. And never stop learning. Couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks for joining us on the Deep Dive, and we'll catch you next time.