My Gaming Setup Is Ready. Too Bad the Internet Isn’t

From Zero to Hero—How 1 Mbps Became My Secret Weapon 

Part 2 

Okay, so things didn't just magically get better right away.

But slowly, they did.

My internet, which used to be a joke at 0.98 kbps, started to become more stable. Now, on bad days, I'd get a solid 1 Mbps – not enough to stream well, but enough to at least be online. And on good days? I'd get surprise 5 Mbps, which I didn't want to scare away.

But the real change? It was in me.

I stopped waiting for everything to be perfect because that wasn't happening. So, I just started building anyway.

Live streaming? Nope. But recording and editing? And uploading when the internet behaved? Totally doable. I went all in on that. I changed from live streams to offline gameplay and started posting on TikTok and Rumble. Nothing perfect or fancy—just real videos about gaming with bad internet, about the Botswana grind, and about not giving up.

And guess what? People got it.

They could see the struggle. They saw the passion. I wasn't just a gamer; I was speaking for people stuck in the same situation: low signal but big dreams.

My setup? Still going strong:

*   Ryzen 7 1700X
*   RX 5700 XT
*   Three monitors lighting up my small space

This machine was made to go all out, but my internet slowed me down. Instead of quitting, I found ways to make it work. I became a better editor, and I uploaded with planning. I turned not ideal condition into something valuable.

And I'm not stopping.

My next goal? Getting the AMD Ryzen 5 5500, the CPU I've always wanted. This would seriously improve how I work – faster rendering, smoother editing, and more room to create. I'm saving up little by little. Because just like my internet, progress comes and goes.

Funny thing is, the same internet I used to hate? It showed me how to hustle, how to change, and how to create something people would want to see when no one's watching yet.

So yeah, my streams still aren't full HD.

But my story is very clear.

If you want to help, you can send a tip to Paypal.me/buyme401 and help make that CPU dream happen.

Clicks, Hustles & Crisps: My Life Between TikToks and Trying to Pay Rent (Series)

How My Son’s Kindergarten Lunch Box Made Me Rethink My Whole Hustle 

PART 2

“It’s just lunch.” That’s what I mumbled at 6:12 AM, half awake, half functioning. Then I saw his little face and, man, everything changed. 

 

Alright, so, set the scene: Wednesday morning in Botswana. The house is kind of stirring, kettle’s doing its thing (maybe?), and I’m stumbling around in an ancient T-shirt that’s basically begging for retirement. My phone lights up—yep, TikTok wants me to spiral down the rabbit hole. I almost give in.

But nope. Not today. I’m focused, people. It’s my son’s first week at kindergarten, and guess who’s in charge of his lunch? This guy.

*cracks knuckles all dramatic* Time to deliver.

---

 The Lunchbox Game Plan

What’s on the menu? Only the finest:

- Leftover rice (if it doesn’t smell funky, it’s good to go, right?)
- Vienna sausages, cut diagonally—because, obviously, he’s fancy
- Boxed apple juice (we pretend it’s healthy)
- Banana (a little bruised, but hey, that’s extra flavor)

I seal up the box, feeling like the proudest dad on the block. My kid’s gonna open this thing and think, “Wow. Dad’s a legend.”

Yeah, keep dreaming.

---

 That Look, Though

So after school, I’m pumped. Time for my lunchbox victory lap. But I open it and… everything’s still there. Like, untouched. Not even a suspicious nibble.

I look at my son, and he just shrugs, totally unbothered.

> “I told you I don’t like rice with sausage. I like sandwiches. Like my friends.”

Oof. That one hit harder than my morning coffee. My “Dad of the Year” trophy? Instantly imaginary.

---

 It Was Never About the Sandwich

Let’s be honest: it’s not about the sandwich. It’s about being the kind of dad he actually needs.

Between hustling for cash online, making goofy TikToks, chasing affiliate links, and pretending I understand AI, I totally missed the memo on what my son really wanted. Apparently, I’m supposed to be a lunch whisperer now, too.

None of my online “success” mattered in that kitchen. My boy just wanted a lunch that made him feel seen, like he belonged. And, yeah, I missed that. Big time.

---

Fatherhood: Not a One-Click Upgrade

Here’s the secret those “get rich before 30” gurus won’t tell you: sometimes, the best thing you can give your kid is just being there. Not some passive income stream or viral meme.

I was so busy ticking boxes and hustling for the future, I forgot to check in with the present. To him, that lunchbox wasn’t just food—it was proof I’d been thinking about him.

---

 The Comeback

So, the next day? I went classic: sandwich, peanut butter, basic bread. No wild experiments, no bananas in sight.

He comes home, lunchbox empty, grinning.
 

 “That was perfect. Thanks, Papa.”

Look, I’ve never made a cent online that felt as good as that.

---

Stuff That Actually Matters

- Hustle hard, but don’t forget who you’re hustling for.
- Kids? Brutally honest. Get ready for it.
- Chasing dreams is cool, but remember to ask, “What makes you feel loved?”
- Not all rewards are cash. Sometimes it’s a happy kid and a sticky juice box.

---

 Next Week:

Tried out AI for Forex trading. Spoiler alert: The bot almost broke me—and my sleep. That story’s coming up.

My Gaming Setup Is Ready. Too Bad the Internet Isn’t (Series)

The Gamer's Dream Hits a Wall—My Awesome PC vs. the Terrible Wi-Fi

Part 1 

Building my gaming PC felt like a dream come true, no joke. I didn't just grab whatever was on the shelf. I spent ages researching parts, saving every penny, and waiting for the best deals. I ended up with a Ryzen 7 1700X. It’s a solid mid-range CPU that I thought would handle anything I threw at it. I paired that with an RX 5700 XT graphics card, which I heard was great for high frame rates without costing a fortune. I threw in 16 gigs of RAM to keep everything running smoothly.

Storage-wise, I went all out. A 260GB SSD for the operating system made things boot up super fast. Then, a 500GB NVMe drive just for my games. I wasn't taking any chances there. And the monitors? Three of them! I set them up like a cockpit so I could really get into the game, whether I was playing an RPG, streaming, or just keeping up with chat and stats.

I had this whole thing planned out in my head. Hours spent streaming, talking to viewers, building a community. I saw myself as more than just a gamer. I wanted to be a content creator that people knew.

But here's the reality: I haven’t streamed even once. Not even a little bit! I couldn't even get started.

The reason? The internet, of course.

Out here in Botswana, good internet is not easy to find. Some days, it felt like I was trying to catch smoke. On the worst days, my internet speed would drop to 0.98kbps. Seriously, it was slower than watching paint dry!

On good days—if you could even call them that—it might hit 1 megabit per second. And if I was really lucky, and no one else was using the internet, I might see 5 Mbps. Still super slow for any kind of decent streaming.

My gaming PC could handle anything. It was a beast. But the internet? That was the problem. It was holding everything back.

I’d turn on my PC, start up the streaming software, and just stare at the loading icon. Or the buffering symbol. Or even worse, the Connection Lost message. Lag would kick me out of games and stop me from talking with anyone, totally stopping me from building the community I wanted. It was super annoying.

I kept wondering, how did things get to this point? How could I have all this power in my PC, but be held back by something you can't even see?

Was it my fault? Was I expecting too much? Was my dream too big for where I live?

Every loading wheel was like a reminder that my dream was only halfway real. The internet was preventing me from doing what I wanted to do.

 

If you enjoy my content and want to support my journey, feel free to donate at paypal.me/buyme401. Thank you!

Clicks, Hustles & Crisps: My Life Between TikToks and Trying to Pay Rent (Series)

I Signed Up for 5 ‘Lazy’ Money Apps in One Night—Here’s What Happened by Morning

 

Tuesday, 11:47 PM. 

The house was quiet. My son was finally asleep, my wife had tapped out after one too many TikToks, and I was staring at the couch’s dusty outline, phone in one hand, leftover chips in the other, and the thought of money trickling in while I lie flat was too loud to ignore. No boss. No meetings. Just a light glow and the soft crunch of a chip, the fantasy of passive income draping over me like a blanket.

At precisely 11:47, I tossed the crumbs aside, opened a new tab, and typed the sacred query: "lazy ways to make money online."

The rabbit hole opened wider than my son’s mouth during a tantrum.

---

The Setup: My Arsenal of Hustle

Before I walk you through the neon bait I clicked on, here’s the war room I was working with:

Phone: Android, mid-range, screen slightly cracked at the corner like my patience  
Internet: Three bars if the moon was in the right position, courtesy of an overworked mobile hotspot  
Wallet: Empty. Emotionally and financially  
Mindset: Desperate but slightly drunk on ambition  

I needed apps that wouldn’t ask me to be a genius, just to be here. I wanted no quizzes, no resumes, no long reach-for-the-sky lectures. I wanted to quietly glow green while I scrubbed the kitchen or half-listened to a podcast. I wanted programs that wouldn’t judge me for dad life, TikTok life, or being broke life.  

So I chose five, scrolled fast, and hit download.

---  
 

1. Honeygain – “Share your internet and we’ll slip you pocket change.”**  

I loved the vibe. Let the app run, slip my wallet loose, and rack up dollars overnight. Internet calories burned, profit earned.  

I was in.  

Reality:

* Downloaded.  

* Logged my debut hour: earned 0.01 USD.  

* Home Wi-Fi turned into molasses.  

* Junior’s YouTube ate its own buffering tail on Cocomelon.  

* Spouse narrowed eyes and pointed. Fair.  

Verdict:

Yes, the meter ticks. No, the speed sinks. If your download’s already wheezing up the stairs, steer clear. Sweet gig for fiber folks. Meantime, I’m on starry-eyed wish lists.  

---  

2. TimeBucks – “Watch junk, fill in boxes, pretend you’re working.”**  

They promised I could pocket change for scrolling memes, so I dropped the click like I was launching a crypto coin.  

Reality: 

* Home screen flashed like a 2009 time capsule.  

* Surveys either timed out or rerouted me to “Get a green card, amigo.”  

* Ad views spat out 0.002 cents like a vending machine on a diet.  

* Longest purse I ever carried: 40 minutes for 10 cents.  

Verdict:  

It’s real, but the clock ticks louder than the payout. Filling a pool with a teaspoon? I’m already soggy.

Better suited for insomniacs or anyone who wants to feel productive while actually stalling.

---
 

3. Swagbucks – “Do stuff you already do and earn points!”**

This one looked promising. I already shop, search, and fill out surveys when I’m stalling on bigger tasks.

Reality:

* Got booted from surveys for being “too exotic” apparently. Never knew Botswana was a deal-breaker.

* Points feel like Monopoly money. I can’t tell if I’m winning.

* Most offers assume you pay for delivery from Kentucky.

Verdict:

Unless your VPN can convince the Internet you’re sipping sweet tea stateside, you’re better off scrolling your feed.

Swag, sure. Bucks, nowhere near enough.

---

4. ClipClaps – “Watch funny videos and earn.”

Think TikTok, but the algorithm occasionally hands you quarters. I’m here for it.

Reality:

* App is surprisingly good. I already want to adopt the duck with sunglasses.

* Coins pour in like a good meme, then slam the brakes like a distant text bubble.

* Random wheel spins and slot mini-games feel like they want my soul.

* Cash out is turtle speed unless you can make a small army of friends use your link.

Verdict:

Great for noise while I fold laundry. Okay for pocket change if you’re chill. Amazing if you can turn your whole group chat into a referral machine.

---
5. Remotasks – “AI needs humans to teach it. Get paid to be that human.”**

Couldn’t resist that line. Teach machines to know what they’re staring at? Seemed as easy as breathing.  

Reality:  

* Onboarding went longer than they bragged; every “quick” video added another twenty minutes.  

* The task tracker looked like a spaceship control panel.  

* I clicked so many tiny boxes that the edges of my vision dimmed.  

* Pay per task is decent, but it takes a metric ton of clicking to see it.  

Verdict:  

Definitely not “money for nothing.” You’re trading hours for data points.  

Still, it sharpens your eye for detail, and it’s a baby step into the freelancing jungle.  

---

By 4AM...  

I was wedged between yesterday’s pizza and the cat, eyes like crust, swapping screen light for cold, dark light.  

Final check: earnings across all five platforms?  
 

$0.61 USD.  

Couldn’t buy a cup of coffee.  

But it felt like the first raindrop before the storm.

 So, What Would I Actually Recommend?

If you’re in Botswana, stuck on a cheap data plan, and want a little side hustle that won’t eat your bandwidth:  

✅ Honeygain (provided you can snag a solid, uncapped Wi-Fi connection)

✅ ClipClaps—it’s goofy, it’s brief, and it’ll throw coins your way

✅ Remotasks—it’s actual work, but it can pay decent if you’re focused

Skip: TimeBucks unless you’re killing time in the waiting room. Swagbucks is a dead end if you’re not in the U.S.  

---  

What I Learned  

* You’ll never find pure passive income unless you’re the Wi-Fi landlord, and I’m not.
* Apps often forget that Africa exists—play with them, don’t treat them like gospel.  
* Your time is a currency. $0.10 for an hour isn’t lazy money; it’s a pay cut in disguise.  

At least I’ve got a short-list of time-wasters I can delete.  

---  
Next Week:  

I’ll try to stuff a lunchbox my son will actually eat—and discover I’m packing the wrong stuff, again.