The Best Side Hustles You Can Start With No Money

Starting a side hustle is a great idea as the extra money can help you pay off debt quicker, build savings, or can be used as extra spending money every month. What is stopping you from trying some of the best side hustles?

The possible cost to get started prevents many people from taking that first step to creating a successful side hustle. However, are they right? Does it cost that much to start a side hustle?

Great news! You can easily start a side hustle without having to pay anything. That’s right; many side hustles are completely free to get started.

In this article, you can learn about the best side hustles you can start without money. By the end, there will be at least one side hustle suitable for you, and you can get started at no cost to yourself!

Testing

A great way to earn extra cash is to work as a tester. Companies happily pay for users to test their website or app and provide feedback.

Most tests cost $10 and take an average of 20 minutes. You could earn $30 per hour. That’s $300 a week for 10 hours of work!

To work as a tester, you don’t need any special equipment. You can do the work from your home using your computer or smartphone. If you are comfortable providing your feedback by audio or video, this is an easy side hustle to start at no cost to yourself.

A great site to get started on is User testing.

Freelancing

If you have skills, you could work as a freelancer. There are plenty of legitimate freelance opportunities online. Many big-name brands are choosing to hire freelancers for specific jobs, so the opportunities are there.

Provided you have an internet connection and a computer, you can work as a freelancer without start-up costs.

There are endless freelance categories, but here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Graphic design
• Editing
• Proofreading
• Accounting
• Photography
• Software development
• Data entry
• Virtual Assistant

Within these categories are countless sub-categories, so you can drill down to something specific you are skilled for. To learn new skills or improve your existing skills, try sites like Udemy. They offer a range of video courses that teach many topics.

Starting a side hustle as a freelancer can often become a full-time job. This could mean you can leave behind the 9-5-day job and have the freedom to work your own schedule from the comfort of your home!

Getting started as a freelancer may involve taking lower paid jobs at first. Once you have built a reputation in your field and some repeat customers, then your earnings should increase. You could create your own website and attract customers directly.

To start your freelancing journey, try Fiverr to begin with. You can sell your skills for as little as $5, up to $10,000!

Teaching

Modern technology allows us to stay connected with friends and family anywhere. This also means you can connect with anyone else around the world too.

A fast-growing industry is online teaching. Don’t be put off by the word teaching. You could easily become a teacher online, provided you have the required subject knowledge, plus you only sometimes need teaching experience.

You could start by offering your services through social media, checking online job boards, or freelance websites.

Alternatively, you could create courses in your chosen field and sell them. Websites like Udemy and Teachable can be a great way of building passive income selling courses you have created.

Start A Blog

Another one of the best side hustle ideas to start with no money is blogging. Provided you can create quality content regularly, you could build a blog that ends up generating thousands of dollars per year. Some phenomenally successful bloggers earn millions per year!

If you have specific knowledge of a subject, you could start a blog around it. It could be profitable if there will always be plenty to write about. Some suggestions for blog topics include:

• Food
• Travel
• Fashion
• Lifestyle
• Music
• Fitness
• Sports
• DIY
• Parenting
• Finance

All these topics are popular and offer lots of potential for constant new content.

Getting started on a blog has never been simpler. You can find a lot of help online to help get a blog started. Sites like WordPress and Wix are free to get started. Both offer the chance to create a blog from scratch using a variety of well-designed templates. This is ideal for beginners as you don’t need to worry about learning any coding. Use the design that suits your style and add your well-written content. Easy!

Start Your Blog With Bluehost Today!

Blogs take time to start making money. If you have patience, you could start seeing a regular income once the blog has been running for at least six months. Income can be generated in a variety of ways, including:

• Affiliate marketing
• Ads
• Sponsored posts
• Selling merchandise

You will start earning regular money once your blog is established and getting regular traffic. Income from a blog can turn into passive income, provided the blog remains active means you can have revenue for years after it was written.

Sell Your Ideas

Are you an innovator? Do you regularly have ideas for new products or apps?

If you answered yes to either of these questions, there is good news for you. Some companies pay for ideas. Only some people can bring a new product or app to market themselves. Instead of letting your great ideas go to waste, you can sell them!

There will be some work required on your part to identify the right company to sell your idea to. To help get you started, here are some companies that regularly buy ideas:

• 3M. This company mainly looks for ideas relating to electronics, office supplies, and healthcare supplies. 
• Dorman Products. If you have ideas about hardware, housewares, and automotive products, then Dorman Products would like to hear them.
• Henkel. Henkel is a big name in the personal products industry.
• Sharper Image. Do you have ideas for new toys, technology, or innovative gadgets? If so, Sharper Image wants to hear about them. In the email, include your product description, any photos or videos, if you are currently selling it, and your contact information. Their merchandising team will contact you within 14 days to discuss your idea further.
• Jokari Home Solutions. If you have an idea for an exciting kitchen gadget, Jokari Home Solutions wants to hear it.

Another type of idea that can sell well is an app. If you have a thought-out idea for a new app that will likely be profitable, some companies will pay for this. Contact one of the following to sell your app ideas:

• Google
• Apple
• King
• FundedApps
• IdeaPros
• Flippa

Only some ideas will sell, but you only need one great idea to earn thousands of dollars.

Apps That Pay

These days most of us probably spend hours a day on our smartphones. This has given rise to various apps that pay you to use them! You read that right. You can earn real cash from using certain apps on your phone.

Earning money will take a variety of ways but usually involves completing online tasks such as:

• Cashback for shopping online
• Completing surveys
• Watching videos
• Playing free games

This is a partial list with many other possibilities, including apps that pay you for walking!

Getting started is extremely easy. Just download the apps you want to use and start earning. You won’t get rich doing this, but using the right apps for your lifestyle can be a decent side hustle that makes you a few hundred dollars a year.

That extra money could be used to pay debts off, increase your savings, or as fun spending money!

There are lots of apps that offer cash rewards in exchange for completing online activities. To help get you started, here are 3 of the main ones:

• Ibotta
• Swagbucks
• TopCashBack

Related Reading: 10 Apps That Pay You Cash

FAQs

What is a side hustle?

A side hustle is a way of earning supplemental income in addition to your primary source of income.

How do I know if a side hustle is worth it?

Only you can decide if a side hustle is worth it. Ultimately, the best way to decide is to decide how much you can earn from the side hustle versus how much of your time it takes up. If it is worth it to you, then it is worth it.

Are these side hustles you can start with no money legitimate?

Absolutely, yes! All the suggestions listed can be started with no money. You can start earning if you have an internet connection and a computer or smartphone.

Final Thoughts

Remember, you won’t get rich overnight from any side hustles you can start with no money. However, if you put the work in, then you will earn the rewards.

One day you might be the millionaire blogger working from the beach!

Are you looking for more side hustles? Check out this list that features more of the best side hustles.

Author Bio

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.