Could you imagine being one of these athletes and still needing a side hustle to pay the bills?
Your side hustle is delicious
ChatGPT
You know that thing you do where you dissect your burger like you’re Gordon Ramsay on espresso? Good news, you can now get that burger for free.
Mystery dining is having a renaissance. You often get free food, tips and travel covered, usually via a prepaid card or voucher.
I had a guest on my show who racked up over $40,000 in free meals doing this. Not bad for someone who just wanted a decent steak.
🍔 How it works
You visit the restaurant, eat like a normal human, then unleash your inner food critic. But it’s not exactly a free lunch; you’re doing a job. Expect to answer detailed questions like:
- Was the staff friendly?
- How clean was the restaurant?
- Did your order arrive hot and on time?
You’ll usually submit photos and complete an online questionnaire after your visit. Some agencies might want you to write a short review.
🍽️ Mystery dining companies
Here are three legit agencies where you can sign up:
- Second to None: Been around for 30+ years. Offers assignments in fine dining, fast food and even retail.
- EyeSpy CC: Focuses heavily on upscale dining. Reviewers say budgets are generous and assignments are fun.
- Market Force: A big name in dining and retail. Assignments may start small, but regulars unlock better opportunities (and pay).
You may be asked to complete a practice test to show you can follow instructions.
🚨 Scam alert: Any company asking YOU to pay up front is scammier than a time-share in Jupiter (the planet). Run away like your entrée just came with a side of identity theft.
How to get a job as a mystery diner
Any restaurant worth its salt wants to know what it’s doing right and what it’s screwing up. And they’re willing to pay you for that info. But they can’t just judge servers and kitchen staff when they’re on their best behavior. They need someone undercover.
Do you use AI at work? — May 31st, Hour 3
People are using ChatGPT at the office, but hiding it from the boss. Here’s why. Plus, a self-driving 18-wheeler hits the road, facial recognition at airports, and Gen Z’s new side hustle. Also, caller Andrew from Florida saved a girl caught in a rip current with a drone.
💸 Not a bad side hustle: Twentysomethings are making up to $36,000 a year by renting their everyday items like T-shirts, speakers and lawn mowers. On the clothing app Pickle, for example, a Cult Gaia dress that normally costs $898 can be yours temporarily for $100 (paywall link). Dang, my garage full of “investments” could be a passive income gold mine.
Make $50/hour being a friend
Need extra cash? This side hustle pays you to be kind and just be yourself. Here’s how it works.
Doing taxes this weekend? Fun times. Remember that if you made over $5,000 using apps like Venmo, PayPal and Cash App for your side hustle, you’ll get a 1099-K form. I answer your FAQs about this here. Here are each app’s reporting rules.
Woman duped out of nearly $1M in gold bars
She says it started with a pop-up on her computer. Relationship expert Amy Chan joins us to talk about online dating and crafting the perfect profile. Plus, a kid’s stink that ruined a family business, the side hustle black market, and a major Life360 data leak.
This professor has an OnlyFans. Should he be fired?
Joe Gow and Carmen Wilson have a spicy side gig making adult videos. They were happy, and everything was going great — until Joe’s other job found out. Joe was the Chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Because of the side hustle, the university ousted him from that role, and now he’s fighting to keep his tenured professor position.
You can’t delete Meta AI
Meta wants to make your FB or IG search bar work more like ChatGPT. You can’t turn it off. Plus, high school coach uses AI to frame principal, the most dreaded word at work, and a new TV projection breakthrough. Got a car? Here’s how to make it into your next side hustle.
Spies want in on your router
Is yours at risk? Hackers’ new side hustle is charging Chinese and Russian spies and scammers for access to old home routers so they can launch denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. Plus, Google blocks romance writer, worst airlines for luggage, and Microsoft gets hacked.
Get paid to eat (seriously)
Love eating out at fancy restaurants but don’t always want to spend? You won’t want to miss out on this side hustle.
Ransomware gang has your health data
Yes, the Change Healthcare hack just got worse. Here’s what you need to know. Plus, X charges a $1 fee to post, a foodie side hustle saves a guy $40K, and beware of scary SIM swapping scams.
Bonus episode: The Kim Komando Show, April 13
A new tech ban is coming, this time it targets Russia. Trade your data for money? I tell you the real cost of cash-incentive offers (it’s not pretty). True crime lovers — here’s a side hustle you won’t want to miss. Plus, a gal wonders if her Roomba records her. Creepy!
36M Xfinity customers hacked, sneaky TikTok update & offline map trick
Plus, I chat with Heather Hooks, an online reseller who turned $300 into a $1 million business. Listen to this story for side-hustle inspo! Also, a guy convinced a chatbot to sell him a Chevy Tahoe for $1. Rite Aid gets a five-year AI ban, and a gal makes a cringey laptop discovery.
Humane’s Ai Pin, p*rn monitoring software & 3 worst money apps
Plus, Graham Cochrane is a side-hustle whiz. After a job loss in 2009, he now pulls in $160K/month from two businesses in passive income — and he shares how he did it. Also, Citibank wants you to stop getting paper bills and what to do if your laptop gets stolen.
Cheap voice cloning, earn $ w/ online surveys & iPhone 15 mania
Plus, got a side hustle? I show Chris from Colorado how to set up an online presence for his small biz. Major networks are up for grabs — Baby Boomers can rescue them. Tips on setting up Zoom backgrounds, spotting hacked webcams, and finding keyloggers on your devices.
Turn your car into your next side-hustle
Is your car just sitting idle in your driveway? Find out why it should be your next income stream — in 60 seconds
Start your tour guide side hustle
If you’re an expert on your hometown, why not make some extra cash? Here’s how you can get started in just 60 seconds.
Health apps exposing secrets, $2M IG influencer scam & Siri's triggering words
Plus, homeowners beware! There’s a sneaky mortgage scam making the rounds. How one gal turned her side hustle doing the laundry into $24K a month, uncover your full Facebook comment history and the tech you never clean … but really should.