I was seduced by creators hawking passive income hustles. Like the language used in MLMs, it seemed too good to be true

A very specific kind of content began taking over my social media feeds at the end of last year.

I had just finished out a short-term contract and returned, with some reluctance, to the financial masochism of freelancing. As I mourned the end of steady paychecks and paid days off – as well as finally having enough money for regular haircuts – I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the glow of the screen.

A typical video starts with an ordinary-looking woman doing ordinary things: typing on a laptop, sipping coffee, perhaps doing some light cleaning. Bright, optimistic music blares in the background.

Then text stretches across the frame: she has made thousands of extra dollars each month, working just a few hours a day from the comfort of her home.

Sometimes the woman – and it’s almost always a woman – speaks directly into the camera. She was able to quit her job and spend more time with her family thanks to her side hustle! It allowed her to pay off debt, cover her mortgage and travel, all while setting her own hours! And with her tips and tutorials, you too can begin making money like her.

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