50 Side Hustles You Can Start with Zero Investment

What Makes a Side Hustle Work Without Investment?

I remember when I was working long hospital shifts and still couldn’t get ahead financially.
A friend told me about reselling items on Facebook Marketplace — no start-up capital needed.
I thought it was a joke.
But that first £30 from a free baby bouncer I flipped?
Game changer.

This article is packed with 50 side hustles you can start with zero investment, told through real-life strategies, practical insights, and no-nonsense advice to help you take action.

Let’s dive into the hustle.

ou don’t need a business degree or a load of cash to start.
All you need is either:

• Time

• Skills

• Access to a phone or computer

Side hustles you can start with zero investment work because they’re powered by you — your effort, your network, and your creativity.

Platforms like TikTok, Etsy, and Upwork have completely levelled the playing field.
The gatekeepers are gone.
If you’re willing to put yourself out there, you can absolutely build something from nothing.

The Top Questions People Ask About Zero-Investment Side Hustles

What is the most profitable side hustle?

The most profitable side hustle is one that scales.
Freelancing, affiliate marketing, or building a digital product (like an online course or eBook) can earn you recurring income.
But even better — once you build a following, content creation can lead to sponsorships, ads, and product sales.

I’ve seen creators in the UK go from £0 to £10,000+ a month in less than a year on TikTok and YouTube.
That’s the magic of side hustles you can start with zero investment that go digital.

What is the cheapest side hustle to start?

The cheapest side hustle is reselling.
You can start by flipping things you already own or get for free.
Look on Gumtree, Facebook groups, or Freecycle.
List them on eBay or Vinted — and reinvest your profits.

Another dirt-cheap option?
Walking dogs.
No website, no uniform, just a love for pets and a good pair of trainers.

What is the best side hustle in the UK?

The best side hustle in the UK right now is freelance writing or content creation.
The demand for copywriters, blog writers, and social media managers is exploding.
And you can learn as you go.
Sites like PeoplePerHour and Fiverr let you build a portfolio and earn at the same time.

Pair this with AI tools like ChatGPT or Canva for content creation — and boom, you’re in business.

What is the cheapest most profitable business to start?

The cheapest and most profitable business to start is an info-product or service-based business.
You don’t need inventory.
You don’t need an office.
You just need to solve a problem for someone.

Example:
Sell resume writing services to job seekers.
Create Notion templates for students.
Build a digital planner for mums.

Zero cost.
Massive margin.

What is the easiest side hustle online?

The easiest side hustle online is selling digital products or doing microtasks.
Sites like Amazon KDP (self-publishing), Etsy (printables), and UserTesting (testing websites) make it super simple.
These don’t need a big skill set — just a bit of learning and patience.

Even posting AI-generated motivational quotes on Instagram or TikTok can lead to brand deals or merch sales.
I know creators making £500 a month just from ad revenue on reels.

Can I sell things I make as a hobby in the UK?

Absolutely!
If you’re crafting, baking, sewing, or painting — you can 100% turn that into a hustle.
Sell on Etsy, Folksy, Vinted, or even at local markets.
Just be aware that if you earn more than £1,000 a year, you may need to register for self-assessment with HMRC.
But hobby to hustle?
Totally doable.

50 Side Hustles You Can Start with Zero Investment

1. Freelance writing

Use Medium, LinkedIn, or Upwork to pitch your skills.

2. Virtual assistant

Offer admin help to busy professionals.

3. Resell free stuff

Find freebies online and flip them for profit.

4. Start a blog

Use free platforms like Medium to grow an audience.

5. Sell digital printables

Create planners, to-do lists, or templates.

6. Dog walking

Local, easy, and cash in hand.

7. Babysitting

Tap into your local network.

8. House sitting

Free stay + small payment.

9. Online tutoring

Use Zoom and teach subjects you know.

10. Voiceover work

Got a nice voice? Read scripts and get paid.

11. Data entry

Easy gigs on freelancing platforms.

12. Affiliate marketing

Promote products and earn a cut.

13. Sell old books

Use Ziffit or Amazon Trade-In.

14. Cleaning services

Start local, offer weekly or one-off cleans.

15. Garden maintenance

Especially in spring and summer.

16. Social media manager

Manage pages for small businesses.

17. Content repurposing

Turn blog posts into Instagram reels.

18. Transcription

Convert audio to text — clients pay by the minute.

19. Sell stock photos

Use your smartphone and upload to sites like Pexels or Shutterstock.

20. Rent your driveway

Apps like JustPark make it simple.

21. Sell handmade crafts

Crochet, soaps, candles — all in demand.

22. Teach a language

Offer conversational lessons online.

23. Review music

Sites like SliceThePie pay you to listen.

24. Test websites

Give feedback and earn cash.

25. Design logos using Canva

Start with templates, improve your skills.

26. Start a faceless YouTube channel

Use AI tools for voiceovers and editing.

27. Host a podcast

Free platforms like Anchor let you start today.

28. Sell digital art

AI tools like Midjourney can help you create.

29. Resume/CV editing

In-demand and high trust.

30. Facebook page management

Many local shops need help.

31. Online surveys

Low payout, but a start.

32. Sell on eBay

Declutter and cash in.

33. Dropship (zero upfront using credit terms)

High risk, but scalable.

34. Publish on Amazon Kindle

Write a short guide, story, or poetry.

35. Create memes

Pages make real money from viral content.

36. Sell voice notes or custom messages

Perfect for TikTok trends.

37. Make AI-generated books

Children’s books, coloring pages — totally doable.

38. Subtitling videos

Fast-growing demand globally.

39. Sell Canva templates

Design and share.

40. Niche Facebook groups

Grow an audience, monetize with merch.

41. Write product descriptions

eCommerce sellers need your words.

42. Flip domain names

Buy low, sell high — all online.

43. Become a mystery shopper

Get paid to shop and give feedback.

44. Sell phone wallpapers

Minimal design skills needed.

45. Offer translation services

Especially if you're bilingual.

46. Launch a newsletter

Use Substack or Beehiiv to build loyal readers.

47. Sell recipes

Food bloggers buy niche recipes.

48. Offer accountability coaching

Help people reach their goals.

49. Sell your notes

Great if you're a student or professional.

50. Start a TikTok account around your passion

Monetize through ads, shops, or coaching.

The Bottom Line

Side hustles you can start with zero investment are no longer just “nice ideas.”
They are real, scalable, and achievable for anyone with internet access and a bit of hustle.

You don’t need to quit your job.
You just need to get started.

Remember: the most profitable hustle is the one you stick with.
Start scrappy.
Stay consistent.
And watch how far you can go — all without spending a single penny.