I've been in dire straits and desperately needed money a number of times, so I know what that's like. This may be a US-centric kind of thing, but when I've been that desperate, I've started a business. Doing that has led to me improving my situation even when the business technically "failed". In fact, being desperate seems to increase the effectiveness of starting my own venture, precisely because it's such a powerful motivator. Failure is not an option and all that.

I'm totally willing to make such sacrifices -- and more -- for my own ventures, where I accrue the equity, business network, and all the other indirect benefits (that will keep benefiting me even if/when the income stops.) I'm just not willing to do it for other people's ventures. That makes no sense to me at all.