Think starting a side hustle costs hundreds (or thousands)? Think again.
Hey there fellow side hustler!
One of the biggest worries new side hustlers have is cost.
“Do I need to invest hundreds—maybe thousands—before I even begin?”
Good news: you don’t.
Some of the best beginner-friendly hustles can be tested with little more than your time, creativity, and maybe a small budget of $50 or less. That’s what I call the $0–$50 Test: if you can try it out within that range, it’s beginner-friendly and low-risk.
🧭 The $0 Tier: Start With What You Already Have
No spending required—just skills, time, or free platforms.
Freelance writing using Google Docs
Social media management for a local business
Virtual assistant work with your email/calendar skills
Selling unused items on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist
🧭 The “Under $50” Tier: Small Tools, Big Potential
A tiny investment can unlock bigger opportunities.
Buy supplies for a small batch of crafts to sell locally
Get a domain name for a blog, portfolio, or service site
Print flyers for pet-sitting or tutoring in your neighborhood
Use Canva Pro ($13/month) to design and sell digital products
💡 Real-World Example
A college student wanted to test if people would buy custom stickers. Instead of investing in bulk printing, she spent $20 ordering a small run from a print shop. She sold them all to friends and classmates, proved there was demand—and only then ordered more.
She didn’t start with thousands. She started with twenty bucks.
💬 A Mindset Reframe
You don’t have to “bet big” to start. In fact, the smartest side hustlers know how to keep it small, scrappy, and low-stakes at first. That way, if it doesn’t click, you haven’t lost much—just gained experience.
✅ Your Tiny Action Step
Pick one hustle idea and ask: “Can I test this for $50 or less?”
If yes—sketch out how you’d do it this week.
If no—look for a smaller version you can test for free.
💫 See What’s Possible
Your first hustle doesn’t need a big budget—it just needs a beginning. Starting small keeps the pressure low and the possibilities wide open.
Side Hustle Quest
Your guide to low-cost, high-impact side hustle strategies