I don't think this is about earning or spending money, is it? (but I've got the point, ShowMeTheMoney!)

For me, it is absolutely about earning money.

Frankly, I'm not interested in someone who built a side business with <$1k/m in revenue. That's a single retainer for my consulting company.

Stories where the developer has been able to attract meaningful revenue are for more interesting.

That's fear enough - and that's why I'm featured only Startups. All them generate much more than much $1k/m. The interesting thing is too see the reach that level starting from 0. This is what I call on the Site the startup "growth journey".