Are you considering starting a side hustle? Think of all the things you could do with the extra money. You could pay off debts, invest, or save the money for a rainy day. Is there a reason you haven’t started your side hustle yet?
One reason some people feel put off is the cost of getting started. However, did you know that there are lots of side hustles you can start with no money!
To help get you started this guide will give you some examples of side hustles that cost nothing to begin with. If you have internet access and a computer you can get started today!
Side Hustles You Can Start With No Money
Searching online will reveal hundreds of potential side hustle opportunities. This list has been specially put together as all of the following side hustle ideas are free to get started.
Freelancing
Anyone can work as a freelancer provided you have a skill people will pay for. Big-name brands are increasingly choosing to use freelancers for specific one-off jobs. This means the market is there for anyone that has the relevant skills.
All you need is a computer and an internet connection to get started as a freelancer. The best thing is that you can start for free!
You may be sitting there thinking that freelancing is for people with multiple degrees. The good news is that there are lots of freelancing opportunities that don’t require qualifications. It all depends on what you can do and what experience you have. To get you started here are some suggestions:
- Bookkeeping
- Data entry
- Virtual assistant
- Proofreading
- Editing
- Graphic design
- Software development
This list is just a fraction of things that you can do as a freelancer. As you look at the opportunities in more detail you will find that there are many sub-categories giving some unique freelancing opportunities.
Many freelancers start out as a side hustle but in a lot of cases, this can become a full-time job. One day you too could leave the office behind and enjoy the freedom of setting your own schedule!
If you are concerned your skills aren’t up to date or you want to learn something new, then there are lots of resources online that you can use to expand your knowledge base. Sites like Udemy offer a good mix of free and paid courses covering many topics. Many of the free courses are of excellent quality and enough to get you started.
You aren’t going to get rich overnight working as a freelancer. To start with you may only be able to get low-paid jobs although this will depend on your skillset. However, if you do good work and become known as a reputable worker this will lead to better opportunities. Eventually, your income should grow to a level you are happy with. Maybe one day it will be enough to leave behind the day job!
Blogging
A popular choice and one that can be started for no charge is blogging. If you know that you can regularly write content, then you could easily start a blog. In some cases, blogs can make thousands of dollars per year with a few bloggers earning millions!
When you start a blog, you need to pick a subject or niche to write about. Ideally, pick something you know and feel passionate about. It’s much easier to put the work in when it’s a topic you know and love. Provided you are posting regular, quality content, then in time, it can become profitable.
Popular niches to write about include food, travel, fashion, and lifestyle. There are no limits though and you can write about anything you like!
Starting a blog has never been easier. A quick online search reveals many sites offering advice on how to get started and free services. You may have heard of websites like WordPress that offer free options for beginners to start a blog. These sites give you the chance to learn the basics without paying anything upfront. You just need to write your content and use their free designs to start your blog!
In the future when you are successful you can always move to a paid service that offers more features.
To be a successful blogger you must have patience. This is because it can take quite some time to start earning money from a blog. It is not uncommon for blogs to take 6 months or more before you start seeing any income. Income can be earned through one of the following ways:
- Ads
- Affiliate marketing
- Sponsored posts
- Selling merchandise
A great thing about blogging is that once the blog is established and getting steady traffic, you start earning a passive income. You will earn that passive income for as long as the blog is active. Update it regularly and one day you could be one of the few bloggers earning millions!
Apps That Pay
Advances in technology mean that most of us have a powerful computer in the palm of our hands every day. Our smartphones. One benefit of this is that there are now apps you can download that pay you for using them!
Most of these apps will pay you in exchange for spending your time completing easy tasks online. Tasks include doing things including answering surveys, watching videos, playing games, and earning cashback.
These are some of the main ways but there are many more ways of earning available.
Starting this side hustle is easy and importantly, free! Simply go to the Play Store or the App Store and download the apps you want to use. Apps that pay you won’t get you rich but these apps can provide a decent supplemental income. In some cases, you could earn $1000 a year! That’s not bad for doing things online that you often do anyway.
What would you do with that extra cash? It’s up to you but you could add it to your savings, treat yourself to a holiday, or pay off some debt. Having to decide what to do with extra money is a great problem to have!
There are hundreds of apps offering various rewards to pick from. Three established apps to check out first are:
- Swagbucks
- TopCashBack
- Ibotta
Make sure to check each one and see all the ways you can earn. You wouldn’t want to miss out on any free money!
Tester
If you are comfortable being recorded by video or audio, then working as a tester could be a great side hustle for you. All you need is a computer with a microphone and an internet connection to get started. Many testing jobs also work on mobile increasing the earning potential.
The way testing works is that companies will pay to get the views of users. You will be given access to a website or app and a list of instructions to follow. Your task is to follow those instructions and talk continually explaining how the process is working for you.
It is important you can clearly explain your decisions as you take each step. The companies are testing how people interact with their site and how they can improve it. Understanding why choices are made and what your expectations were are helping them immensely to improve services.
On average a test can take 20 minutes to complete with a payment usually made of $10. If you were able to do 10 tests a week, that’s an easy $100! Testing is an easy side hustle that can be started for free. Plus, you can do a test anytime you have spare time.
Inventor
Starting a side hustle as an inventor may seem like a far-out idea. However, it is not as far-fetched as you might think. There are lots of companies online that will pay for product ideas. Thanks to the internet selling your invention ideas has never been easier!
Selling your ideas will require doing some work to find the right company. After all, a car manufacturer doesn’t want to know about your idea to revolutionize the nail varnish industry!
Think about your idea. Is it for a physical product, an app, or a service? You can then narrow your search accordingly to find the right buyer for your invention.
You may not sell every idea, but you only need one world-changing idea, and you could earn millions!
As promised, this is a side hustle you can start for free. You just need to have some innovative ideas and use the internet to sell them. Easy!
Online Teaching
Online teachers are highly sought after for many subjects. If you have teaching experience and qualifications, then you can easily find work teaching your chosen subject online.
What if you don’t have teaching experience?
Great news! Online teaching is something that everyone with a desire to do it can do. A common choice is to teach a language to foreign students. Not all providers require qualifications for this, and you don’t always need to know their language either. Teaching English as a foreign language is always in demand.
If you have knowledge of a subject that you believe you could teach, then offer those skills. Try offering your services using online job boards, freelance websites, and social media. For example, you could teach baking, car maintenance, or dressmaking. If you are honest about your experience and skills, then there will be chances to teach others your knowledge in exchange for payment.
Another great way of starting a side hustle as an online teacher is to create your own courses. You could make a video course or a textbook and sell those courses. Lots of sites let you sell your own courses, or you can self-publish a how-to eBook.
There are no startup costs for this. If you have a computer with an internet connection, then you can pursue one of these options.
FAQs
What is a side hustle?
A side hustle means you are earning extra money. This is as well as working your main job.
Are all side hustles worth it?
Not all side hustles will be worth it for you. It all depends on the time you are investing in return for the rewards. You need to decide your worth and act accordingly. If the side hustle is helping you achieve your financial goals, then you have probably chosen the right one.
How do I choose a side hustle?
When choosing a side hustle, it is recommended to pick one that is relevant to your skills and experience. The goal is to start a side hustle for free and get that extra cash coming in. Once you have built up your side hustle, there is no reason you couldn’t start learning some new skills and try one of the others.
This is only a recommendation though. Many people make a success of something they had no prior experience of, but it may take longer to achieve that success.
Are these side hustles really free to get started?
You bet! All the side hustles in this guide can legitimately be started for free. You will need a computer and an internet connection but that is all. You could start one right now!
What if I need help?
Depending on the side hustle you choose you may feel overwhelmed at getting started. This is fine. Everyone starts somewhere but the good news is that there is plenty of help online.
Look for online groups for freelancers, make a virtual friend on social media, or comment on relevant blogs asking the blogger for advice. Whatever help you need will be available online. Plus, most sites you use will have support teams to answer all your queries.
Final Thoughts
When you start your side hustle be patient. You won’t be making thousands of dollars within a week! Avoid any sites that promise you will get rich quick.
Instead, pick one of these side hustles you can start with no money, work hard, and you will reap the rewards.
Maybe one day we’ll be reading your success story as you go from side hustle freelancer to millionaire blogger!
About the Author:
Hey, I’m Chris. I have a degree in Business Economics from the University of Liverpool, own a small fast food business and run LifeUpswing.com. I will help you to make money, save money, and think about money in a way that will give you back your freedom.
