10 Side Hustles You Can Start for Less Than $100 in 2024

Austin Please
Updated on
December 20, 2023
Interested in a side gig but don’t have a lot of money to spare?
These side hustle ideas have low startup costs.
Discover how you can start a side job without breaking the bank.

When people think of starting a side hustle, they often get discouraged with the thoughts of expensive equipment or expensive ad and marketing costs. This is especially true for stay-at-home moms and dads, retirees or recent college grads who want to earn extra cash.

Starting a side job doesn’t have to hurt your pockets. There are plenty of low-cost side hustle ideas that you can start for under $100.

Check out this list of side jobs that don’t come with a high price tag.

1. Flip old furniture

For less than $100, you can find old coffee tables, chairs or bedside lamps at flea markets or garage sales. Smoothen those scratches, fix a few missing parts, and paint it with trendy hues and you’re all set to resell it for twice the cost.

For starters, it is important to have the right mindset before beginning a side hustle like this one. Flipping furniture requires an eye for detail, creativity and commitment. Before you start shopping around, take some time to do research on what trends are popular in the area, what furniture pieces people are looking for and the current prices of used furniture. This way, you can ensure that you’ll be able to resell the items at a profit. Additionally, if you know how to use tools like a drill or saw, it will help you get the most out of your money since you won’t have to hire someone else to do minor repairs and modifications on the pieces you’ve purchased.

2. Sell stock photos

You don’t need to be a professional photographer to make a career out of selling stock images. All you have to do is invest in good quality handy cameras at bargain prices. Some are even fully waterproof with image stabilization. Then take photographs and sell these images to online stock photo websites where graphic artists, bloggers and marketers purchase photos for their ad campaigns.

Selling stock photos can be a great way to make passive income. However, it does require some forethought and preparation. Before you get started, consider researching what types of photos are popular, as well as the market for them. You'll also want to create an online portfolio of your work in order to showcase your images and attract potential buyers. Additionally, consider joining relevant online forums or photography groups to network and build relationships with clients who may be interested in purchasing your work.

3. Design book covers for self-publish authors

Self-publishing with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) has earned many aspiring authors a name in the community. But with 2 million books (and growing) already available on the website, authors need to compete against each other to make their book as appealing as possible. And what usually gets the attention of readers? Cover design. With a good cover design, a book sets the initial expectations of the reader. If you want to design, you can sign up for a free account on Canva and then advertise your services on Craigslist or Reedsy.

Self-publishing is becoming increasingly easier with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for writing and art. These AI tools allow authors to produce professional-level written work, as well as effortlessly create stunning artwork for their book covers. In addition to saving time, these tools make self-publishing a much more accessible option for aspiring authors. If you are interested in offering your services as a book cover designer, utilizing these AI tools can help streamline and speed up the design process.

4. Record audiobooks

If you have a passion for speaking, why not narrate audiobooks or become a professional voice over talent? Invest in a good mic for $50 to $90, sign up for a free recording and editing tool online and advertise your services right away.

Recording audio books can be an enjoyable and lucrative way to make money on the side. Audio books offer readers a convenient way to access literature, with narration making it easier to comprehend complex text and nuances of language. By narrating audiobooks, you can reach a wider audience, while also providing a valuable service that many appreciate.

When recording audiobooks, it is important to use a good microphone and soundproof environment in order to capture clear audio. Additionally, you should take the time to practice your narration and reading skills before beginning a project. Having basic knowledge of editing software can also be advantageous for post-recording production, such as adding effects or reducing background noise. Overall, narrating audiobooks is a great way to make money on the side and expand your reach.

5. Craft a beer at home

For as low as $70, you can purchase a home brewing kit complete with instructions and recipes on how you can make your microbrewery at home. Many beer lovers prefer different home-crafted beer instead of commercialized varieties.

Making your own beer at home can be a great way to save money while still enjoying your favorite beverage. Home brewing is a fairly simple process that requires minimal equipment and ingredients, much of which can be found online or at local homebrew stores. The cost of starting a brewery at home is much cheaper than buying commercially produced beers, especially when you consider the cost of bottles, cans, and labels. Furthermore, setting up a home brewery gives you more control over the flavor and strength of your beer, while also allowing you to experiment with different types of recipes. With a little bit of effort and patience, you can experience the satisfaction that comes with enjoying an exceptional beer crafted by your own hands.

6. Recycle old electronics

Scour for tech junk in your community and trade them in-store at Target, Best Buy or other stores that recycle electronic trash. These include mobile phones, monitors, keyboards, printers, cartridges, cable wires and laptops. And if you’re lucky, you can crack open CPUs and laptops and find valuable parts that may still be useful and can be sold on eBay or Craigslist.

Recycling old electronics is an easy and environmentally friendly way to make money on the side. Many people have outdated or broken electronic devices that they no longer use, making it easy to find tech junk in your community. By recycling these items, you can help reduce e-waste and keep valuable materials out of landfills. Additionally, you may be able to find usable parts inside of discarded electronics that can be sold online for a profit.

7. Sanitize homes and offices

With a little investment in cleaning supplies and equipment, you can start a cleaning and sanitation service. Visit homes and small offices and leave flyers that advertise your expertise in cleaning grime and dirt even in unseen areas. If you use eco-friendly and natural products, you can market your services a lot better.

Home and office sanitizing is a great way to make money on the side. Sanitation services are in high demand due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and many people are looking for extra help with keeping their living spaces clean and safe. With minimal investment in cleaning supplies and equipment, you can start your own sanitation business and provide people with the peace of mind that comes with knowing their living space is clean and sanitized. Additionally, using eco-friendly and natural products will allow you to market your services as environmentally conscious and responsible, which can be a great way to attract more customers. With a little effort and dedication, you can have your own profitable sanitation business in no time.

8. Create homemade soap

The trend toward organic homemade soap has increased in the past years due to the harmful effects of commercialized bars that are full of lathering agents, surfactants and chemicals. Soap kits only cost from $50 to $80 and you can experiment by adding organic oils, goat milk, pink salt and flowers to create a unique bar with an aromatic scent.

Making homemade soap is an easy and creative way to make money on the side. With a relatively small investment in supplies and ingredients, you can create beautiful and unique handmade soaps that will appeal to many people looking for natural alternatives to commercialized products. Additionally, you can experiment with different recipes and use organic oils, goat milk, pink salt, and flowers to add unique scents and textures to your soaps. By selling your homemade soaps online or at local markets, you can make a decent profit in no time.  

9. Remove snow from driveways and walkways

Keeping an open pathway or driveway during the winter season is a hassle for most homeowners. A snowstorm can risk their safety, but they don’t have the time to clear the snow every day. If you have a budget for a reliable shovel, you can charge at least $50 per hour for your snow removal service.

During winter, many people are looking for help with clearing all the snow from their pathways and driveways, making it easy to find customers.

10. Build and sell websites

Small business owners need a website but they don’t have the budget to hire professional website designers and coders. However, if you register a domain name, pay for an annual web hosting plan, and install a WordPress theme, you can start building a website for less than $100.

You don’t need advanced coding skills to do this. By learning basic HTML and CSS, you can make a website that looks professional enough for small business owners who don’t have the budget to hire an expensive web design agency.

With just a small investment in web hosting and domain name registration, you can start your own business building and selling websites. Additionally, by learning basic HTML and CSS, you can create professional-looking websites for small business owners that won't break the bank. By marketing your services online and to local business owners, you can make a nice profit in no time.

Final Thoughts on Starting with $100


These awesome side jobs can get you the extra cash that you need without digging a hole in your pocket.

Don’t let high startup costs hold you back from starting your own side gigs. For less than $100, a little innovation and creativity and a lot of dedication can lead you to make more money to cover your bills and other needs.

It's never too late to start a side job or business - and the best way to get started is by just jumping in and giving it a go! Taking that first step can be daunting, but with a relatively small investment of $100 or less you can find creative ways to make money on the side. From sourcing cleaning supplies for a sanitation business, to making handmade soaps and offering snow removal services, there are plenty of ways to make money without breaking the bank. So don't wait any longer - get out there and start turning your ideas into mooooola!

Last Updated on
December 20, 2023
by
Austin Please

Disclosure: I may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links below at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy. This site is not intending to provide financial advice. This is for entertainment only.

Austin Please
I’m a gay dad, a happy husband, and recently my own boss. But it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, i’m still striving to grow a mustache to achieve ultimate dadness.
Austin Please
I’m a gay dad, a happy husband, and recently my own boss. But it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, i’m still striving to grow a mustache to achieve ultimate dadness.
My Story
Galactic Gaylords
An unapologetically queer NFT project that is breaking free from the metaverse closet to prove that everyone deserves to be represented in this new digital landscape.
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