The internet is full of rags-to-riches stories about people who turned a weekend side hustle into six figures. But the truth is, not every gig pays off, and some actually cost more than they earn. Between startup expenses, time drains, and hidden fees, many people are unknowingly going into the red while trying to get ahead.
It’s tempting to believe that any extra job is a good one. But when a side hustle eats into your savings, strains your time, and gives you little return, it becomes less about building wealth and more about spinning your wheels. Here are nine side hustles that might seem profitable on the surface but could actually be draining your money behind the scenes.
1. Dropshipping Without a Strategy
Dropshipping is often sold as a get-rich-quick scheme: no inventory, no shipping headaches, just profit. But what people don’t tell you is how much you’ll spend on ads, web hosting, and trial-and-error products. Without a niche or marketing plan, your money vanishes fast, often before a single sale hits your account.
Many beginners lose hundreds, even thousands, before they realize that customer acquisition isn’t as simple as posting on Instagram and hoping for the best.
2. Selling on Etsy or Amazon Handmade Without Profit Margins
Crafting or creating can be therapeutic, but turning it into a business doesn’t automatically make it profitable. Between materials, listing fees, shipping costs, and platform cuts, many handmade sellers make less than minimum wage—or end up in the negative after accounting for time and expenses. Unless you’re pricing products strategically and managing your production costs tightly, this creative side hustle can quietly eat away at your savings.
3. Rideshare Driving in Low-Demand Areas
Driving for Uber or Lyft can seem like easy money…until you calculate gas, insurance, maintenance, and depreciation. In smaller towns or rural areas, the demand often doesn’t justify the expense. And with rising fuel costs and reduced per-mile payouts, your “extra cash” might be just covering your costs, or less. Unless you’re in a high-traffic area and driving during peak times, rideshare gigs may not be worth the wear and tear on your vehicle or your wallet.
4. Flipping Items Without Market Research
Flipping thrifted or clearance items sounds like a solid way to profit. But without understanding what actually sells and how to list items effectively, you can end up with piles of unsold inventory. Between shipping supplies, storage space, platform fees, and price undercutting, the margins can disappear fast. Buying things hoping they’ll sell isn’t a hustle. It’s gambling.
5. Starting a Blog or YouTube Channel Without Monetization Plans
Yes, people make money online. But starting a content platform without a clear monetization path is like opening a store and forgetting to sell anything. Web hosting, design tools, gear, and countless unpaid hours go into building an audience, and if there’s no affiliate strategy, sponsorship plan, or product offering, it’s just an expensive hobby. Passion is great, but passion alone won’t pay your bills.
6. MLMs (Multi-Level Marketing Schemes)
Some still call them “business opportunities,” but most MLMs are thinly disguised money pits. The average rep loses money after buying into inventory, marketing materials, and event costs. The success stories are rare because the business model relies on recruitment, not sales. If your “income” depends more on who you sign up than what you actually sell, that’s a red flag, not a business.
7. Renting Out a Room or Property You Can’t Legally Sublet
Short-term rental platforms like Airbnb can bring in money if you’re allowed to use them. However, many people jump in without checking their lease terms, HOA rules, or local laws. The result? Fines, evictions, and legal headaches that cost way more than the few hundred bucks made in weekend rentals. If your hustle risks your housing, it’s not worth it.
8. Taking Low-Paying Freelance Jobs
Freelancing can be a powerful income stream when the pay is fair. But platforms like Fiverr and Upwork are full of gigs that pay pennies for hours of work. If you’re spending evenings writing, designing, or editing for $5 an hour, you’re not just underpaid. You’re losing time you could’ve used to find better clients or build real skills. Working for “exposure” won’t pay your bills. Demand your worth or walk.
9. Delivery Apps That Don’t Cover the Costs
Food delivery platforms like DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats promise quick cash, but the payout rarely matches the effort in many cities. Factor in gas, mileage, wear on your car, and fluctuating tips, and you may end up with less than minimum wage by the time your shift ends. Add in the stress of unpredictable orders and slow nights, and suddenly, this “easy hustle” becomes an exhausting, low-paying drain.
The Bottom Line: Not Every Side Hustle Is Smart
Hustle culture loves to promote extra income but rarely talks about extra risk. If your side gig is costing you more than it’s bringing in or draining time you could use to rest, recharge, or upskill, it’s not helping you move forward. Side hustles should build freedom, not financial anxiety.
Have you ever tried a side hustle that ended up costing you more than you made? What did you learn from the experience?
Read More:
9 Awesome Side Hustles To Make You Extra Cash
The Best Place to Put Savings From A Side Hustle – Savings Bonds
Riley is an Arizona native with over nine years of writing experience. From personal finance to travel to digital marketing to pop culture, she’s written about everything under the sun. When she’s not writing, she’s spending her time outside, reading, or cuddling with her two corgis.
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