I’m not here to give you empty hope. I’m here because I’ve had to learn the hard way—and now, I have to teach you how to think.
Critical thinking isn’t optional. It’s essential—especially when it comes to understanding how income is actually made. There are far too many voices out there… people promising quick riches, easy money, flashy results. And too many fall for it. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve seen people lose everything because they believed someone who sounded confident but had no idea how money really works.
Let’s break through the noise.
Let’s look at the methods that actually generate income—the real ones. The ones that are proven, tested, and grounded in reality. Each path carries risk. The more you risk, the more you might gain—but also, the more you stand to lose.
I’ve had to teach all of my children these truths. Not because I wanted to—but because I had to. Because I couldn’t bear to watch them be misled. Because I knew the world wouldn’t wait to teach them—it would just take.
Don’t be fooled. This PowerPoint? It’s not just information. It’s protection. Share it. With anyone who’s ever felt lost, lied to, or left behind when it comes to understanding how income really works.
V/R,
Norman “Otto” “Harvey ” Bohn – 12/2024
Let me be honest with you—the safest path to stability in this world is still what most people overlook or undervalue:
A steady day job and a solid education.
It may not be glamorous. It may not go viral. But it’s dependable. A job gives you consistent income. An education gives you options. That combination? It’s your foundation. Now—yes, there are many ways to make money:
- Starting a business
- Flipping real estate
- Side hustles
- Investing in stocks
- Creating digital products
- Even monetizing a skill or talent
But here’s what you need to understand: The further you stray from that traditional path, the more risk you carry. More freedom? Yes. But more uncertainty. More stress. More pressure. And if it fails? There’s no safety net. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take risks. But you shouldn’t take blind risks. The world is full of loud voices telling you to “quit your job” or “follow your passion.” But passion doesn’t pay rent—unless there’s a plan behind it. Saying words about your self esteem doesn’t always translate to money going into a bank account.
So build your future wisely. Use your day job to fund your dreams. Use your education to avoid being fooled. And remember: income is only one part of the equation—stability is the other.
The Wrong Ways to Make Money
- Let’s be brutally honest—just thinking you’ll make money without actually doing anything is pure delusion. Unless you’re sitting around waiting for someone to die and leave you an inheritance, you’re going to have to put in real work. It’s fine to pray, hope, or manifest all you want, but if that’s the extent of your strategy, then you’re stuck in a loser mindset. Money doesn’t come to those who just sit around and think about it—it comes to those who move, who act, who execute. Expecting money to show up without effort is broke thinking, plain and simple. People who operate like that usually stay poor and wonder why nothing ever changes. The truth is, money responds to value, and value requires action. Stop fantasizing and start doing. One must know how money works in order to make money.
- Most people have a spending problem. They get money and spend it. Some people want to “retire” early if they have enough money. If they’re not doing anything productive with their free time, then why do you need money to continue this life style? Just stay being a bum. If someone else is paying for you to live, then extra money isn’t going to change your life style.
- Be careful when people promise that all you need is a certain “vibe” or a “positive attitude” to attract money. That kind of talk is a distraction—especially when it comes from so-called “life coaches” who make a living selling dreams instead of delivering results. They’ll name-drop wealthy people, talk endlessly about mindset, or reference vague success stories, yet they have no real money of their own. If someone isn’t financially stable or is just pretending to be, chances are you’re not going to learn anything useful from them about making money. Instead of falling for hype, refer to the proven, time-tested methods above. If only a handful of people make money through a certain method, it’s probably a matter of luck or timing—not a system you can rely on. Some of these people just crave attention, and they daydream out loud while dragging others into their fantasies. Focus on what works. There is no free money.
- Multi-Level Marketing (MLM), also known as pyramid schemes, is one of the worst ways to try and make money. The time you’ll invest compared to the money you might make usually adds up to less than minimum wage—if you make anything at all. These schemes exist to benefit the few people at the very top, who lure others in with flashy promises of passive income, luxury cars, dream vacations, and financial freedom. But the reality? Those promises are smoke and mirrors. Aside from the top 1–5 individuals, almost everyone else loses money or breaks even at best. These ventures are built on hype, not substance, and the internet is flooded with honest reviews exposing how deceptive and predatory they are. Shame on you if you fall for it—but shame even more on those who peddle it. When it all falls apart, these organizations will gaslight you into thinking you failed because you didn’t “believe enough” or “hustle hard enough.” The truth is, there’s only so many friends and family you can pitch to, and once that dries up, you’re stuck. MLMs prey on the poor and desperate, and they are, without question, loser traps.
In the end, money is only earned a few ways. Someone must be willing to part ways with money and give it to you in exchange for legally made goods and services. Make plans for how you make money from the listings above.
Joshua Sardina San Diego
