Amidst the economic challenges, numerous individuals are turning to side hustles to earn extra income

However, there’s a common concern that one needs money to make money. To address this, we’ve curated a list of side hustles to start with no money.. These opportunities offer the potential for additional earnings and, with some fortune, could even transition into a full-fledged career. Yet, it’s essential to discern which side hustles hold greater potential for success.

10 Side Hustles To Start With No Money

Here are the best side hustles you can start today with little to no money:

1. Deliver Food

As a part-time gig, you could pocket some significant extra earnings each month by delivering food.

An added perk: no vehicle required. With popular delivery services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates, and Grubhub (limited geographic areas offer non-car delivery options), you can make drop-offs using a bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, or even on foot.

Many Dashers (DoorDash workers) opt for bicycle deliveries: they can effortlessly navigate through busy streets, soak in the sunshine, and essentially get paid to stay active. Similar to rideshare services, you have the flexibility to choose your preferred routes. So, if you’re cycling, you can steer clear of highways and inaccessible roads.

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2. Rideshare Driving

Rideshare apps may not be making as many headlines these days, but rideshare services continue to thrive. Driving for Uber or Lyft remains a dependable method to earn income, with drivers often bringing in $100 or more daily.

The minimum age requirement for driving can vary depending on location, but generally, you must be 21 years old or older.

Despite concerns about vehicle wear and tear and rising fuel costs, both Lyft and Uber offer lucrative sign-up bonuses and frequent promotions for completing trips during peak hours.

You have the flexibility to choose your preferred routes and hours, allowing you to be strategic in minimizing the impact on your vehicle. For instance, if you’re heading to a busy location like a shopping mall or airport, you can pick up passengers along the way who are headed in the same direction. This way, you can integrate rideshare trips with errands you already have planned, avoiding aimless driving around town.

Earning potential varies widely due to factors such as city, driving duration, fuel prices, and tips. According to Business Insider, most full-time Uber drivers can earn between $22-$40 per hour, with many surpassing the $1,000 weeklymark.

3. Take Paid Surveys

Paid online surveys rank among my favorite methods for making extra money. You can reliably pocket $50 to $200 each month with minimal effort. The beauty is, you don’t have to dedicate time to it every day.

Market research firms collaborate with survey platforms to gather consumer opinions. When you qualify for and complete a survey, the platform earns revenue, and they share a portion of it with you in the form of your payout.

Survey rewards can vary from $0.25 to $5 or more, depending on factors like length, topic, and complexity. (For example, is it a simple multiple-choice survey, or are you required to provide detailed qualitative feedback?)

While not every survey attempted will be a match, you’ll qualify for and complete some of them. And if you manage to complete 3-4 surveys a day—whether during TV time or while casually browsing your phone—that translates to an extra $100 to $200 monthly with minimal exertion.

Below are some top survey programs, both website and app-based, worth exploring:

Survey Junkie: Accumulate points by taking surveys and redeem them for free Amazon gift cards or PayPal cash.

Branded Surveys: Formerly MintVine, this platform rewards you with points for sharing your opinions on various consumer topics. Cash out your points via Dwolla or PayPal.

Redeem your earnings for gift cards or PayPal cash.

4. Online Tutorial Videos

Online tutoring presents a lucrative opportunity to earn $100 or more monthly. Once you create your instructional video, you earn revenue each time it’s downloaded or viewed. Top creators can rake in over $10,000 monthly.

You can monetize your video by offering it as a paid e-learning course on platforms like Coursera or Udemy, or by posting it on your YouTube channel and enabling in-video ads and sponsorships.

You don’t have to be a professional chef or contractor to possess video-worthy skills. People enjoy learning about new products and acquiring fresh skills through videos.

For instance, someone searching “how to ride a bike” likely already knows how to ride but may be seeking content to assist a parent teaching their child or for innovative teaching methods.

There’s a demand for how-to videos on virtually any topic, regardless of how simple or niche it may seem. The key is to convey information in a clear and understandable manner.

This hustle is beginner-friendly, accessible to anyone with a smartphone or video recording device. While a phone tripod can improve video quality, it’s an affordable investment, typically costing around $6 or less on platforms like Amazon.

5. Pet Sitting

If you find joy in admiring people walking their dogs or spending time with your friends’ pets, then pet-sitting might be your ideal gig. Thanks to the increasing number of gig apps connecting pet enthusiasts with busy pet owners, you could earn an average of $16 per hour strolling through the park with a coffee and a charming canine companion.

Pet-sitting tasks may include walking and playing with dogs, cleaning litter boxes, feeding pets, administering medications, and other related duties.

Earnings vary depending on the task; for instance, overnight pet-sitting in your home typically pays more than a brief mid-morning walk. Nevertheless, it’s feasible to turn pet-sitting into a full-time endeavor.

According to discussions on community forums within Rover, a leading dog-walking app, full-time dog walkers can earn around $3,200 per month, while part-time walkers can reasonably expect to earn $1,000.

In addition to Rover, consider exploring these popular pet apps:

• Wag
• GoodPup
• Wooftrax
• PetBacker
• Pawshake
• Fetch! Petcare

No special certifications are required for pet-sitting gigs; however, you’ll typically need to pass a background check, be at least 18 years old, and demonstrate (via reels or photo footage) that you can safely walk a dog on a leash and put on various styles of harnesses, such as a Gentle Leader or back-clip styles.

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6. Sell Used Items Online

Clearing out your closet isn’t just a sanity saver; it can also boost your finances. By tidying up, you’ll uncover forgotten items that are no longer in use.

Surprisingly, those neglected goods could fetch a handsome sum of $200 to $300, or even more, on online resale platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Poshmark. For instance, a Minnesota mother earned over $2,300 by selling her children’s outgrown clothes on Facebook.

This savvy mom tapped into a truth known to many: there’s substantial savings and earning potential in the secondhand clothing market. Millennials and Generation Z (Zoomers) are increasingly drawn to vintage and pre-owned apparel.

Creating an online listing is a breeze—just snap a picture and upload it (takes less than a minute). Plus, you’ll receive notifications via text or email when your item sells. If you’re unsure about pricing, the app can suggest a suitable price based on similar items’ selling prices.

Certain clothing brands perform exceptionally well in the resale market, such as name-brand athletic labels, high-end designers, couture, or vintage brands with Y2K vibes or earlier aesthetics.

7. Become a Shopper

If Target is your go-to destination for happiness, then this opportunity might be perfect for you. Join Instacart and turn shopping into a paid gig! While you won’t keep the items you shop for, you’ll enjoy strolling through the aisles, Starbucks in hand, as you fulfill orders. Just dedicating 10 hours to shopping this month could net you an additional $300.

Similar to delivering meals, this job involves dropping off customers’ orders. You have the freedom to choose your working hours and accept only the deliveries you’re comfortable with.

Instead of delivering lunches, you’ll be bringing customers their Target essentials, including groceries, apparel, toys, and home goods.

Instacart shoppers can earn over $20 per hour, plus any tips from customers.

8. Freelance on Fiverr

Fiverr stands out as a dynamic marketplace catering to bloggers, writers, designers, and various online side hustlers. It offers an avenue to earn extra income by completing gigs, ranging from small tasks to larger projects, for businesses of all scales. Notably, top earners on Fiverr can surpass the $100K mark annually.

Personally, I’ve utilized Fiverr to make money and hired freelancers for  blog writing, graphic designing, and online researching.  The talent pool I’ve engaged with frequently undertakes projects for a diverse array of clients, including small businesses, regional brands, and Fortune 500 companies, showcasing the platform’s extensive clientele base.

Some of the most sought-after skills on Fiverr encompass:

• SEO marketing (such as guest post exchanges, backlink building, and social media sharing)
• Writing (covering blog articles, e-commerce web content, infographics, case studies, white papers, and one-sheeters)
• Video creation (including talking heads, animated features, and illustrated content)
• Graphic design (spanning infographics, logos, presentations, web and UX design)
• Virtual assistant tasks (encompassing email research, communications, proofreading, calendar and travel management, and various administrative duties)
• SEO audits (providing reports with recommended technical changes, meta description updates, sitemap revisions, and intersite linking strategies)
• Voice talent services (such as voice-over work for video scripts, reels, and TV commercials)
• Digital marketing expertise (covering display affiliate marketing, social media, influencer marketing, and community management)
• Programming and technology solutions (including front-end development, WordPress, landing page design, data analysis, and visualization)
• Photography services (ranging from portrait, real estate, food, and product photography to image editing)

On Fiverr, you have the flexibility to set your rates anywhere from $5 to $500, or even higher, depending on your skill level and the complexity of the project. As a newcomer, it’s advisable to initially set modest rates until you accumulate completed projects and favorable reviews on your seller profile.

In addition to Fiverr, similar project opportunities can be found on platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, Toptal, Truelancer, OutSourcely, 99Designs, and Panda Copy.

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9. Start a YouTube Channel

Starting a YouTube channel, blog, or podcast offers a fantastic opportunity to share your expertise, passion, or creativity while potentially earning income through advertisements and sponsorships. Although immediate returns may not be guaranteed, consistent delivery of high-quality content can pave the way for a steady revenue stream in the long run.

The key is to select a niche that aligns with your interests and create content that resonates with your intended audience. As your audience expands, various monetization avenues become available, including Google AdSense for YouTube, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and display ad services like Mediavine and Raptive.

Building a successful content creation side hustle hinges on engaging with your audience and consistently delivering valuable content. Establishing trust and driving action among your audience are essential for monetization. It’s important to remember that patience and dedication are fundamental to achieving success in this endeavor.

Read more on:

How Much Does Youtubers Make?

How to Start a Blog Quick and Easy in 6 Steps!

10. Photography

If you’re passionate about photography and own a camera, you have the potential to transform it into a lucrative side business. Begin by assembling a portfolio of your work, whether it encompasses portraits, event photography, or stock images. Display your finest work on social media platforms and establish a basic website to attract potential clients.

Consider offering your photography services initially for free or at a discounted rate to amass a portfolio and garner testimonials. As you accumulate experience and confidence, gradually transition to charging for your services. Networking with local businesses, event organizers, or individuals seeking portrait sessions can help you secure paid assignments. With dedication and continuous skill refinement, photography can evolve into a fulfilling side hustle.

Side Hustles To Start With No Money Wrap Up

 With the proliferation of apps, gig platforms, and unconventional job listings, it seems everyone either has a side hustle or is contemplating starting one.

Just like with traditional 9-5 jobs, there’s no one-size-fits-all side hustle. The ideal side hustle for you, especially one that requires no initial investment, will be one that resonates with your passions, interests, and skills.

Among the myriad options we’ve explored—ranging from social media management to becoming a full-time Target Store shopper—there’s sure to be one that captures your curiosity.

And if you’re seeking a more laid-back way to earn some extra cash, consider checking out these entertaining games that offer opportunities to earn money while playing.