make megabucks 赚大钱
He earns megabucks.
他大笔大笔地赚钱。

earn your keep 挣口饭吃；为有栖身之处而工作
If you're not going to go to university this year, you're going to have to earn your keep.
如果你今天不去上大学，你就要自己混饭吃了。

fend for yourself 照料自己；自谋生计
His parents agreed to pay the rent for his apartment but otherwise left him to fend for himself.
他的父母同意替他付房租，其他的则让他自己解决。

live by your wits 靠耍小聪明赚钱；（有时）靠玩花招捞钱
When you live yourself and support yourself, you need to live by your wits.
当你自己生活要自力更生的时候，你就需要想办法赚钱了。

live off the land 靠耕种（或狩猎）为生
Hippies want to live off the land.
嬉皮士想要靠天生存。
Because many of the poorest people live off the land, they are more susceptible to the impacts of extreme weather conditions.
因为很多最贫困人口靠山吃山靠水吃水，他们就更容易受到极端气候的影响。

stand on your own two feet 自力更生
I raised you to stand on your own two feet.
我把你养大是要你脚踏实地做人。