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Colin
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
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What is a good starting job that makes decent money?
I want to make enough money in order to buy food and pay rent.
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Dr H
Dr. H's Research
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Hey Colin!
Alright, let’s get down to business—you need a job that actually pays enough to cover rent and keep you from living off instant noodles. Totally fair. The good news? There are tons of options depending on what you’re into, how fast you need cash, and how much effort you wanna put in.
Fast Money Jobs (No Experience Needed, Quick Cash Flow)
If you need to start making money like, yesterday, these jobs are easy to jump into:
Serving/Bartending – If you’ve got a decent personality and can carry a tray without spilling drinks on customers (well, too often), restaurant work can be a goldmine. Tips can make even a low hourly wage very livable, especially in busy places.
Delivery Driving (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart) – Flexible, no boss breathing down your neck, and if you play your cards right (aka, work peak hours and grab good orders), you can make solid cash. The only downside? Gas and wear on your car, but still a solid gig if you need quick money.
Retail (Costco, Target, Best Buy, etc.) – Some retail jobs (cough Costco cough) actually pay really well for entry-level work, plus benefits. Downside? You’ll probably deal with your fair share of rude customers, but hey, that’s life.
Warehouse (Amazon, UPS, FedEx) – If you don’t mind moving stuff around and getting some free gym time while on the clock, warehouses often pay better than most retail jobs. Amazon even offers tuition assistance if you’re thinking about leveling up your career later.
Steady Paycheck Jobs (More Stability, Decent Starting Pay)
If you’re looking for consistent money rather than the hustle-and-tip grind:
Customer Service (Remote or In-Person) – Call centers, help desks, or even working as a virtual assistant can get you a stable paycheck without heavy labor. If you can deal with Karen Energy on the phone, this could be a solid choice.
Security Guard – Pays decently, sometimes involves literally sitting at a desk watching cameras, and usually doesn’t require any special skills beyond looking alert.
Bank Teller – If you’re decent with numbers and don’t mind wearing business casual, working at a bank gives you stable hours, benefits, and sometimes room to move up to higher-paying roles.
Big-Picture Careers (Jobs That Pay Well Long-Term)
If you’re willing to learn a skill or trade, you could make way more money down the line:
Skilled Trades (Electrician, Plumber, HVAC, Welding) – These jobs are in huge demand, pay way more than most college-degree jobs (without the student debt), and can lead to making six figures in a few years. Bonus: You get to feel like a superhero when you fix things people can’t live without.
IT & Tech Support – Tech jobs don’t always require a degree, just skills. If you like messing with computers, you could start with IT support, cybersecurity, or even basic coding (Google and YouTube are your free teachers). Some companies even pay for your training!
Real Estate Agent – If you don’t mind a little grind and love networking, real estate can lead to massive commissions. It takes time to build up, but once you’re rolling, you can make crazy money.
Side Hustles (Make Money On Your Own Terms)
If you want extra income or hate the idea of a traditional job:
Freelancing (Writing, Graphic Design, Social Media, Video Editing, etc.) – Got any creative skills? Websites like Fiverr and Upwork let you make money from home, and if you build a solid client base, it can turn into a full-time gig.
Flipping (Reselling Clothes, Sneakers, Furniture, etc.) – If you’ve got an eye for deals, thrifting and reselling stuff online (Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Poshmark) can bring in solid cash with zero bosses.
Tutoring or Teaching a Skill – Are you good at math, playing an instrument, or even speaking a second language? People will pay you to teach them.
So… What’s The Move?
Think about what fits your vibe. Do you want fast money or something steady? Do you prefer physical work or chill desk work? Do you wanna build a career or just make enough to survive while figuring things out?
If you need money now, hit up a restaurant, delivery gig, or retail job. If you want something stable, customer service or warehouse work can be solid. And if you’re playing the long game, learning a trade or a tech skill can be a game-changer.
Let me know what sounds good, and don't worry to hit me up on it aswell if you need anything else. Good luck buddy!
Alright, let’s get down to business—you need a job that actually pays enough to cover rent and keep you from living off instant noodles. Totally fair. The good news? There are tons of options depending on what you’re into, how fast you need cash, and how much effort you wanna put in.
Fast Money Jobs (No Experience Needed, Quick Cash Flow)
If you need to start making money like, yesterday, these jobs are easy to jump into:
Serving/Bartending – If you’ve got a decent personality and can carry a tray without spilling drinks on customers (well, too often), restaurant work can be a goldmine. Tips can make even a low hourly wage very livable, especially in busy places.
Delivery Driving (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart) – Flexible, no boss breathing down your neck, and if you play your cards right (aka, work peak hours and grab good orders), you can make solid cash. The only downside? Gas and wear on your car, but still a solid gig if you need quick money.
Retail (Costco, Target, Best Buy, etc.) – Some retail jobs (cough Costco cough) actually pay really well for entry-level work, plus benefits. Downside? You’ll probably deal with your fair share of rude customers, but hey, that’s life.
Warehouse (Amazon, UPS, FedEx) – If you don’t mind moving stuff around and getting some free gym time while on the clock, warehouses often pay better than most retail jobs. Amazon even offers tuition assistance if you’re thinking about leveling up your career later.
Steady Paycheck Jobs (More Stability, Decent Starting Pay)
If you’re looking for consistent money rather than the hustle-and-tip grind:
Customer Service (Remote or In-Person) – Call centers, help desks, or even working as a virtual assistant can get you a stable paycheck without heavy labor. If you can deal with Karen Energy on the phone, this could be a solid choice.
Security Guard – Pays decently, sometimes involves literally sitting at a desk watching cameras, and usually doesn’t require any special skills beyond looking alert.
Bank Teller – If you’re decent with numbers and don’t mind wearing business casual, working at a bank gives you stable hours, benefits, and sometimes room to move up to higher-paying roles.
Big-Picture Careers (Jobs That Pay Well Long-Term)
If you’re willing to learn a skill or trade, you could make way more money down the line:
Skilled Trades (Electrician, Plumber, HVAC, Welding) – These jobs are in huge demand, pay way more than most college-degree jobs (without the student debt), and can lead to making six figures in a few years. Bonus: You get to feel like a superhero when you fix things people can’t live without.
IT & Tech Support – Tech jobs don’t always require a degree, just skills. If you like messing with computers, you could start with IT support, cybersecurity, or even basic coding (Google and YouTube are your free teachers). Some companies even pay for your training!
Real Estate Agent – If you don’t mind a little grind and love networking, real estate can lead to massive commissions. It takes time to build up, but once you’re rolling, you can make crazy money.
Side Hustles (Make Money On Your Own Terms)
If you want extra income or hate the idea of a traditional job:
Freelancing (Writing, Graphic Design, Social Media, Video Editing, etc.) – Got any creative skills? Websites like Fiverr and Upwork let you make money from home, and if you build a solid client base, it can turn into a full-time gig.
Flipping (Reselling Clothes, Sneakers, Furniture, etc.) – If you’ve got an eye for deals, thrifting and reselling stuff online (Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Poshmark) can bring in solid cash with zero bosses.
Tutoring or Teaching a Skill – Are you good at math, playing an instrument, or even speaking a second language? People will pay you to teach them.
So… What’s The Move?
Think about what fits your vibe. Do you want fast money or something steady? Do you prefer physical work or chill desk work? Do you wanna build a career or just make enough to survive while figuring things out?
If you need money now, hit up a restaurant, delivery gig, or retail job. If you want something stable, customer service or warehouse work can be solid. And if you’re playing the long game, learning a trade or a tech skill can be a game-changer.
Let me know what sounds good, and don't worry to hit me up on it aswell if you need anything else. Good luck buddy!
Thank you, this is really helpful.