‘Get in line pal’: 28-year-old “only” wants big money fast without effort, debt, education, or time

Author image for Etai Eshet
Etai Eshet • Editor
Mar 6, 2025 7:00 AM EST

So, you've had your lightbulb moment, huh? Realized that your twenties melted away like ice cream on a summer sidewalk, leaving you holding a half-eaten waffle cone of brick wall jobs. Now you're 28 and ready to cash in on life with one simple goal: make a truckload of money without going into debt, sacrificing years of your life, or dealing with too much hassle. Adorable. Absolutely precious. Let me gently introduce you to a little thing called reality.

Adults, quick huddle—keep your voices down, we have a delicate case on our hands. A 28-year-old just realized he's tired of no-prospect jobs and wants to earn piles of money ASAP, without school, effort, debt, hard work, or inconvenience. Isn't he adorable? Awww.Shhh, don't laugh, it might crush his spirit.

It's like watching a toddler try to reach the cookie jar on the top shelf—you almost don't want to spoil the illusion. Our big boy wants all the perks of a high-paying career without any of the, well, career part. It's the workplace equivalent of wanting washboard abs while maintaining a strict diet of nachos and naps.

But let's keep this between us, shall we? No need to burst their bubble just yet.

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  • So for now, let’s pat him gently on the head, smile indulgently, and wait patiently until he figures out that if making loads of money was quick, easy, and painless, everybody would be doing it by now. He’ll understand eventually, bless his optimistic little heart.

  • "My only goal is to make a lot of money, what are the best options?"

    "My only goal in my career is to make a ton of money. I'm stumped. I can't think of anything"
    via Khosro

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • I've worked de d end, low paying jobs for many years now. For a time, I was ok just coasting through life. I had a wake up call recently. One night I was sitting there thinking about my life, and I
    via help_meoutbois
  • realized I have wasted the majority of my twenties. Over the past few days I've been dipping in and out of the looming dread and existential crisis brought about by my introspection. I don't want to continue living this
    via help_meoutbois
  • way. I'm 28 now, but I don't want to keep wasting away the rest of my life as I have been doing. I need an actual career, and I need to do something with my life.
    via help_meoutbois
  • My only goal in my career is to make a of money. As much as possible. I really don't care what the job is, just so long as I can achieve it in a reasonable amount of time, and without
    via help_meoutbois
  • getting deep into debt. I don't care if I hate my job. Most people hate their jobs. I'd rather be miserable with money, than miserable and broke (which I am now). Ive ruled out careers like
    via help_meoutbois
  • Cheezburger Image 10475251200
    via Khosro

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • being a doctor, or lawyer, because although they are lucrative, the time investment you make with schooling, and the debt you incur is too steep a price for me personally to commit to.
    via help_meoutbois
  • I'm stumped. I can't think of anything. Especially with Al. I'm worried it threatens the majority of lucrative careers I can think of, especially in the white collar world. That leaves blue collar
    via help_meoutbois
  • work, but normally to make any real money in those jobs requires many years of experience, or requires you to open your own business. Im not averse to either of those pathways per say, but if
    via help_meoutbois
  • there are easier options which require less time and are easier, I'd prefer to take those avenues. Ive heard from peers in my own life who've started their own businesses in their trade that it's often more headache than it's
    via help_meoutbois
  • worth. I have the feeling that starting a business is one of those things that sounds good on paper, but in reality is a lot less worth it than taking other easier avenues to make the big bucks.
    via help_meoutbois

  • Did you try planting a money tree my guy?

    400 GOL 100 100 $ 100 DO 100 100 100 VAA 100 100 100 100 100 100 $ 0 100 100
    via Wes Abrams
  • I hope I'm not coming across as lazy, or someone who isn't willing to put in hard work to make big money. Im fully aware most jobs that pay six figure, and multiple six figure salaries require some combination of a large time
    via help_meoutbois
  • investment for training/schooling, lots of hard work, long hours, hard sacrifices, etc. However, ideally I want to make as much money as possible while minimizing time investment, and debt from going back to school.
    via help_meoutbois
  • Id also want to pursue something that is at least mostly safe from Al. I realize this is a big ask, as Al has potential to threaten loads of jobs, and when it gets to a certain point, I don't see any job as being
    via help_meoutbois
  • safe. Also, it's don near impossible to predict emerging technology's impact on the job market, so I realize I'm asking a lot there too when asking for advice on "Al resistant" fields.
    via help_meoutbois
  • Just wondered if any of you folks in high paying fields had some insight or prediction on Al's current or possible impact on your field. I really appreciate any advice. Thanks for reading.
    via help_meoutbois
  • Normal_Donut_6700 Go on netflix watch the series Breaking Bad and then watch Ozark.
    via Normal_Donut_6700
  • N226 Sales. Thread over
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  • Atraidis Not wanting to make an investment in yourself is why you're 28 and have only worked de d end jobs. You either need to be extremely naturally talented at something and have the grit to monetize it, or you're going to have to invest in yourself like every other pleb.
    via Atraidis
  • You can't be an A player without doing the things that A players do. Asking randos on reddit how to get rich is stupid. You are actually a picture perfect caricature of a lazy person not willing to do what it takes to "make the big bucks."
    via Atraidis
  • goldentone Not trying to be a j, but that's most people's goal too. Everyone would like to take the shortest possible path to making a lot of money. Some info that might lead to more tailored advice:
    via goldentone
  • What type of work have you been doing up until now? Even if you think it was all just de d-end coasting, you picked up hard and soft skills along the way. Just because they're not profitable for you right now, that doesn't mean they can't be a part of a lucrative future configuration.
    via goldentone
  • Ryanmiller70 Tell me when you find an answer that doesn't involve schooling or dealing with the public.
    via Ryanmiller70
  • Emotional_Reward9340 Your only option here is going to be sales. Time investment is higher because you get a lot of "no's" before a yes, but the income is great.
    via Emotional_Reward9340
  • FINE_WITH_It What you have to do is pretty easy to understand, doing it is a totally different story. Start a business doing things people hate doing. Grow the business enough that you can hire employees (who you have to pay a good amount for since everyone hates doing the job) and scale.
    via FINE_WITH_It

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management boss workplace-stories hr toxic-workplace manager bosses work PTO managers supervisor workplace Horrible Bosses work-life balance
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