Faucets are a great way to start learning about bitcoins and how it all works.  Even though the earnings are beyond minimal, it is still money.  I am still learning in this world of cryptocurrency, but have managed to accomplish a few things already with no actual dollars invested.  I played with faucets for a while, built up a few satoshis, then started dumping it into BTCJam.  This allowed me to make micro-transactions and take a few risky chances with the BTC loan market in order to test the waters.

A couple months of playing around has produced a net worth of about $20, which is not horrible, since I invested nothing but a little bit of time a day to manage faucets on the web and phone.  Now, with a little more understanding of the cryptocurrency system, I think I am about ready to take the next step, whatever that may be.  (probably converting a portion of income to BTC or manual conversions)

You will never make more than pocket change from faucets.  And be ware of peer2peer lending sites.  SCAMMERS are all over, just waiting for fresh meat.