Learn to earn your first million without a business from Robert Herjavec, plus a no-degree passive income idea

Yes, it's possible - for today's Money Making Moves, Robert Herjavec offers valuable insights on how to earn your first million without launching a business. Also, learn of a passive income idea that doesn't require a university degree to succeed. 

> Robert Herjavec, Shark Tank investor and entrepreneur, recently shared his view on how to reach the million-dollar mark without starting a business. In a TikTok video, he advised that the quickest path to wealth is to develop expertise in a high-demand field, rather than launching a company. With advancements in AI and other tech sectors, Herjavec emphasized the value of specialization, echoing a shift in wealth-building trends. He suggests taking advantage of accessible, high-quality education from sources like Google, IBM, and Harvard to build in-demand skills that can lead to lucrative career opportunities and financial independence.

> Chipotle’s profit margins recently took a hit due to efforts to provide more consistent and generous portions in response to customer complaints about inconsistent servings. After social media scrutiny and an analyst’s findings of varying bowl weights across multiple locations, Chipotle launched an initiative to standardize portions across its stores. Interim CEO Scott Boatwright emphasized that fair portioning is a core priority, even if it slightly impacts profits. CFO Adam Rymer noted that rising costs, especially for avocados and dairy, also weighed on profits, but customer satisfaction has improved, suggesting the investment is paying off.

> Meta's Q3 earnings report showed weaker-than-expected user growth and a slight dip in after-hours stock price, despite beating Wall Street's EPS and revenue estimates. Meta reported a 19% rise in sales year-over-year, with net income growing 35%, though it missed user expectations with 3.29 billion daily active people. The company raised its 2024 capital expenditures forecast to $38-$40 billion due to increasing AI infrastructure demands, which CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized as critical to Meta's growth. Advertising revenue climbed 18.7% to $39.9 billion, while Reality Labs recorded a $4.4 billion operating loss, contributing to a total operating loss of over $58 billion since 2020.

After dropping out of college with $50,000 in student loans, Amy Landino started a career in public policy but soon discovered a passion for video creation and social media. This side interest led her to create a successful social media and video content agency, which she later expanded into a personal brand focused on productivity and brand-building. By monetizing YouTube videos, self-published books, and online courses, she grew her passive income to about $18,000 per month, allowing her to work just a few hours a day. Her journey highlights how Amy leveraged her skills to serve others, leading to both financial success and personal fulfillment.

Freelancing offers a flexible way to earn extra money by working on a per-project basis for clients, making it a popular side hustle for those with in-demand skills like graphic design, writing, or bookkeeping. Freelancers can find work through personal networking, social media, or freelancer platforms like Fiverr and Upwork, which handle project management and payments. Setting up a personal website for marketing and invoicing can also add professionalism. To maximize earnings, freelancers should consider tax deductions available for side hustle income.

> Liu Zhou, founder of the cryptocurrency firm MyTrade, pleaded guilty to market manipulation and wire fraud, admitting his role in a scheme to manipulate digital tokens, including one created by the FBI for a sting operation. As part of "Operation Token Mirrors," the FBI developed a fake digital token and a mock cryptocurrency firm to expose fraudulent actors in the crypto market. MyTrade, a market-making firm, reportedly provided illicit trading services, including "volume support" through wash trading to artificially inflate token values. Zhou agreed to a potential 1.5-year prison sentence, and MyTrade has been directed to cease services that previously facilitated sham trades for multiple cryptocurrencies.

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> In a viral TikTok, car expert Jayden Bloom highlighted the pitfalls of extreme auto loans, citing a shocking example of a 35-year loan for a Toyota Camry that would ultimately cost over $250,000. Bloom warns that buyers with poor credit face high-interest rates, often resulting in long-term debt. Rising costs have left many Americans "upside down" on their loans, owing more than their vehicles' worth, with negative equity hitting record levels as interest rates and prices surge. Bloom and other experts emphasize financial literacy and awareness of loan terms to avoid excessive debt and make smarter car-buying decisions.

> Brian Altomare, founder of LugLess, launched his luggage-shipping service after a rejected pitch on Shark Tank in 2013. LugLess enables travelers to ship their luggage ahead, avoiding high airline baggage fees and lengthy check-in lines, and quickly gained traction, generating $215,000 in its first year. Despite the Sharks’ doubts about its potential, LugLess tripled its customer base and experienced a 448% demand surge after the show, even being named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Brilliant Companies of 2014. Altomare credits his appearance on Shark Tank for the business's growth, noting that it raised awareness among regular travelers, who have since helped LugLess grow to over 250,000 users.