4 Lucrative Side Hustles You Can Launch With $50 Or Less

If going to the grocery store has started to feel like getting robbed in broad daylight, it might be time for a side hustle. Life is expensive and we could all use a little extra pocket change – whether it’s to save for a house or a jet-setting vacation. Launching a side hustle business may seem like an investment, but the truth is – you don’t need a lot of money to launch a profitable side hustle.

There are tons of side hustles that you can launch with just $50 – or less. The name of the game is leveraging the skills you already have and using the resources you’ve got. We’re here to help you find a side hustle that aligns with your interests and abilities. Keep reading for 5 lucrative side hustles you can launch with $50 or less.

Sitting for dogs, houses, or babies is a lucrative side hustle that will never go out of style. It’s a great option because once you have repeat clients, you can take on work as often or as little as your schedule allows. Plus, it’s likely the lowest-cost side hustle option on the list.

Of course, you have to consider the money you’ll spend to get to jobs – whether via public transportation, rideshare, or driving yourself. But beyond that, the owners or parents will have all of the materials needed for the job. You just have to take their place for a moment. If you’re babysitting and want to err on the safe side, First AID/CPR certifications cost around $25 and would be your only investment.

The best part about ‘sitting’ side hustles is how cheap it is to start, but how much you can make from these gigs. For example, a 28-year-old earned $26,000 in 2023 working pet-sitting jobs on Rover after getting laid off – as reported on Business Insider. Talent.com reported the median babysitter salary in the U.S. to be $27,994 and $48,750 for housesitters.

Freelancing is a side hustle that’s all about leveraging the skills you already have and your individual creativity. Several services fall under the freelance umbrella, like writing, social media management, photography, modeling, makeup, and so many more. Whatever service you choose to provide is already a skill you likely have, so startup costs can be quite minimal for freelancers.

One potential cost to consider is client software management systems where you can keep track of clients, invoices, contracts, and project progressions. Check out the free options first, but if you need to upgrade, these are typically around $20 per month. Many freelancers also opt for websites, ranging anywhere from $3-$10 per month for basic options.

The Upwork Research Institute’s 2023 Freelance Forward survey found that American freelancers contributed approximately $1.27 trillion in annual earnings to the U.S. economy, showing how popular freelancing has become. Plus, ZipRecruiter reported that the average annual salary for a freelancer in the U.S. is $108,028 a year, showing great earning potential for this side hustle.

Do you have a knack for cleaning? Consider offering mobile cleaning services. If you need cleaning supplies, you can head to a dollar store. Or, use cleaning supplies you already have to start and replenish when needed. Sticking to the basic necessities like a broom, mop, and cleaning chemicals is your best option for keeping it low-cost. If you want to start a website for marketing, basic hosting should cost you less than $10 per month.

Cleaning businesses can be quite lucrative, with an earning potential well into the six-figure area. Side Hustle Nation interviewed a couple earning $20-25k in sales each month from their residential cleaning business.

Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and similar apps have made side hustling easy because they always need drivers for rideshare and food delivery. Plus, it’s cheap to start driving and should only cost you $30 – as long as your car is already insured and you’ve got gas in your tank! The only startup cost to consider is the vehicle inspection before you start providing services.

The earning potential for food delivery and rideshare services can vary, depending on where you live, how often you’re driving, the time of day, and more. Plus, pay is calculated differently on respective platforms. Lyft provided median net driver earnings per hour based on a few cities, to give an idea of earning potential: Chicago: $26.90, Charlotte: $18.72, Memphis: $19.07, and Philadelphia: $25.31.