CNBC Make It
We bought a $90K fire station and turned it into our dream home
Steven and Ashley purchased an abandoned fire station in 2016 for $90,000 and converted it into a 6,200 square foot dream home. The property has since appreciated to approximately $400,000. The couple creatively designed unique rooms including a theater, indoor soccer field, and nursery within the repurposed building.
Couple bought a 140-year-old home for $550,000 and spent $172,000 renovating it
A couple purchased a 140-year-old home in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey for $550,000 and have spent approximately $175,000 on renovations. They walk through the home's key spaces, highlighting restoration efforts and structural changes. The video also covers their financing details, including a 15% down payment and a 7.125% mortgage rate.
I brought in $789K last year selling landline phones
Kat Gatsy, 29, built a $789,000 business in 2025 selling Bluetooth-compatible landline phones. The idea came from her desire to reduce smartphone screen time while recapturing the nostalgia of shared family landlines. Her Stanford education and startup experience gave her the confidence to prototype and launch the product.
Bringing In $2.3 Million A Year Negotiating Car Deals
Tomi Mikula, founder and CEO of Delivrd, explains how he built a $2.3 million remote car negotiation business after a pivotal moment in 2023 when eight customers told him they 'hate buying cars.' His company handles all aspects of car deal negotiation for clients while using an anti-sales model and live streaming as primary lead generation. He aims to scale to 700-800 deals per month and ultimately reinvent the car buying industry.
My company trains $175,000 protection dogs
A company specializing in high-end protection dogs priced at $175,000 explains their rigorous training process, which spans two years and includes stability, obedience, and socialization. Dogs are delivered with personalized training and lifetime annual check-ins with the family. In 20 years of operation, only one dog has ever had to actively deploy its protection capabilities.
My financial coaching business brings in around $60,000 a year
Charlie runs a financial coaching business earning around $60,000 a year, working 40-50 hours weekly from a portable office. They specialize in serving LGBTQ, transgender, and first-generation Latina clients, focusing on financial empowerment and money boundary-setting. A key focus is addressing the financial vulnerabilities caused by family estrangement within the LGBTQ community.
I bought a $575,000 duplex at age 27 by myself
Margaret Skiff, a 27-year-old from Portland, Maine, shares her experience purchasing a $575,000 duplex in 2025, becoming a landlord in the process. She personally renovated the property, which was in poor condition when she bought it. She describes the pride she feels from doing the work herself.
We started upcycling furniture in 2020 — we've now made over $1M flipping entire homes
A couple shares their experience renovating a historic home, highlighting key design challenges and transformations including a custom headboard, a newly built en-suite bathroom, and a finished attic space. They also uncovered a hidden brick chimney and discuss their outdoor land potential. The project is part of a broader furniture upcycling and home-flipping business that has generated over $1 million.
We bought a 140-year-old house in New Jersey for $550,000
Amanda and Vinny Drees purchased a 140-year-old Victorian home in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey for $550,000. The couple has been renovating the money pit ever since, discovering fascinating historical artifacts inside the walls. Amanda grew up dreaming of owning a Victorian home, while Vinny was less prepared for the extensive renovation work involved.
I make $43K a year as an electrician — and I couldn't be happier
A female electrician earning $43K a year shares her daily routine, job satisfaction, and the challenges of working in a male-dominated field. She describes the fulfillment of seeing construction projects go from bare dirt to a finished, powered building. Despite needing to constantly prove herself as a woman, she expresses genuine happiness with her career.
We Started A Burrito Spot In A Home Depot Parking Lot – It Brings In $2.3 Million/Year
Lydia Holmes and John Clark started LJ's Lil' Café, a breakfast burrito stand in a Home Depot parking lot in Orange County, California in 2021. After an Eater LA article featured them, their business exploded from $200-300 daily sales to over $1,000 per day, and they now generate $2.3 million annually.
51-year-old sells protection dogs for $175,000 each on Montana ranch
A Montana ranch owner discusses the intensive process of training protection dogs that sell for $175,000 each. The operation involves 50 dogs, 13 staff members working 24/7, and faces challenges with finding quality breeding stock.
I Left The U.S. For Shenzhen, China – Here's How Much It Costs
Bradley Craig, a 36-year-old American, shares his experience living in Shenzhen, China with his family, highlighting the extremely low cost of living, advanced technology, and quality of life benefits compared to the US. He describes monthly expenses including $1,000 rent for a 3-bedroom apartment, $50 total transportation costs, and $100 grocery bills that can fill an entire cart.
A nurse paid off nearly $1M in debt in under 3 years: My relationship with money shifted drastically
A nurse explains how she used zero-based budgeting and the debt snowball method to pay off debt. She found she could put $4,000 monthly toward debt without changing her lifestyle by becoming more intentional with spending.
35-year-old brings in around $60,000 a year and lives rent-free by pet sitting full time
A 35-year-old pet sitter earning $60,000 annually explains how living rent-free allows them to spend $2-3,000 monthly on lifestyle expenses while investing $13,500 in retirement savings. They describe their minimalist approach to possessions and strategic use of 0% APR business credit cards.
26-year-old works at a bookstore and lives on $53,000 a year in New York City
A 26-year-old who studied civil engineering but realized it wasn't her passion moved to New York City with $3,000 in savings to pursue work that would be more fulfilling. She turned down a $67,000 engineering job offer to work in a bookstore instead, prioritizing meaningful work over expected career paths.
We bought a $310,000 historic home — take a look inside
A couple purchased a historic home for $310,000, reduced from $399,000, featuring original 1950s elements including metal cabinets and a built-in baker's shelf. The home boasts authentic period details like original woodwork, a fireplace, and a wraparound porch where they spend their evenings.
44-year-old brings in $251,000 a year with 3 jobs in the Bay Area
Nasima McElroy is a 44-year-old labor and delivery nurse in the Bay Area earning $251,000 annually from three jobs while supporting three children. She prioritizes financial independence through maxing out retirement accounts and strategic debt management, including maintaining 20 credit cards for access to resources.
I quit my job for a 'mini retirement' in Switzerland
A woman describes quitting her job for a 'mini retirement' in Switzerland, where she shares a $6,300/month four-bedroom apartment with her partner, paying $2,200 as her portion. She maintains financial independence through separate accounts and enjoys the freedom of their living arrangement.
We Bought A Bookstore And Live On $209K A Year
Paola and Luke, a couple earning $209K annually, bought their local bookstore after Paola's successful YouTube career caused severe anxiety and health issues. They prioritized mental health and lifestyle alignment over maximum income growth.