[hodgesmr]

  1. Build something on the side that creates recurring revenue
  2. Build something on the side that you can sell for $10-15k
  3. Build multiple things that, when combined, sell for $10-15k
  4. Negotiate a raise at your current job
  5. Start doing freelance work
  6. Get lucky in the stock market
  7. Get lucky in a casino
  8. Get lucky in a lottery
  9. Inherit some money

Why do people in tech think we work in some magically beloved industry that has shortcuts to success? Oh right.. Aaron Sorkin movies.

[jyothepro]

If you already have a job, then most companies have some clause that will not allow you to create new software that can generate revenue. Atleast this is my experience.

[threetincans]

No. 1 is the easiest. See my more detailed comment below.

[lnanek2]

You have to multiply by the chance of it working to get the expected value. It's easy to write an app or a service and just never get the customers to even break even on your time. Contracting is much more likely to pay back since you just have to complete the project and the employers has to keep their word to pay.

[lgas]

Yeah, if you're going to talk about what's easiest in the "whats the least work" I'd say #9 would be the easiest. Chances of it working are probably pretty low for most people though.

Contracting at $100/hr will gross you $10k in 100 hrs (or about 2.5 weeks worth of work). You probably meant net so double it and you're somewhere in your ballpark.

Almost anyone that is a competent professional programmer should be able to find and execute on this much side work at a similar rate. If you're particularly good, have a particularly specialized skillset, a clearence, etc you can easily command a substantial multiple of this rate and accomplish your goal in even less time.

And you're chance of it working are very high.