🔎 Disclosure: WE DON’T SELL ANY COURSES. Money Vice is reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The ideas presented on this site are opinions and are presented for entertainment purposes only. We’re not licensed financial advisors. The information presented should not be construed as financial or legal advice. Always do your own due diligence.
1. Start a Freelance Writing Business
You know those people who say, “Everyone has a story”?
Yeah, everyone also has bills to pay.
That’s where freelance writing comes in.
You don’t need a degree in Shakespeare to get started.
All you need is a laptop, Wi-Fi, and the ability to put words together without sounding like a robot.
Businesses are starving for content. Blogs, newsletters, product descriptions, you name it.
And guess what? They’ll pay you to do it.
Sounds better than scrolling TikTok for hours, right?
Writing Skills Can Pay Off
You can start small by writing for blogs that accept guest posts.
Then, move to freelancing platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or ProBlogger.
The best part? You can literally set your own rates once you build credibility.
Sure, in the beginning, you’ll probably make enough to buy tacos and a soda.
But stick with it, and suddenly you’re invoicing companies for hundreds per article.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Sign up on Fiverr, create a profile offering blog writing, and pitch three clients this week.
2. Offer Social Media Management for Small Brands
Picture this: a small business owner juggling orders, suppliers, and customer complaints.
Now add Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to the mix.
Yeah, they’re drowning.
That’s where you swoop in like the hero of the feed.
Managing social media isn’t just posting cat memes. It’s strategy, timing, and engagement.
And businesses will pay someone to take that headache away.
Social Media Is Serious Business
You already scroll social media, so why not monetize it?
You can create content calendars, schedule posts, and interact with followers.
It’s not about reinventing the wheel. It’s about consistency.
And consistency sells.
The cool part? You don’t need fancy tools.
Free options like Canva and Buffer already exist.
Plus, you’ll learn how algorithms work, which feels like unlocking cheat codes.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Use Canva to design 10 sample posts for a local coffee shop and offer them a free trial week.
3. Begin a Virtual Assistant Service
Imagine being someone’s right-hand person… but from your couch.
That’s basically what a virtual assistant (VA) is.
Small businesses and solopreneurs need help with emails, scheduling, and random admin tasks.
And they don’t want to hire someone full-time.
So, they hire you.
Simple Tasks, Big Rewards
The tasks aren’t rocket science.
You might be answering emails, booking travel, or managing spreadsheets.
Boring? Sometimes.
But money in your account? Always nice.
And VAs are in demand everywhere. From Etsy sellers to real estate agents.
The flexibility is golden too.
You can choose how many clients you want.
Suddenly, you’re not just scrolling through Gmail… you’re getting paid to manage it.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Create a profile on Upwork, list your admin skills, and apply to three VA jobs today.
Bonus: Keep Your Money Organized
You know what’s not fun about running a small business?
Trying to track every dollar with random spreadsheets.
You’ll start off thinking, “Eh, I can handle this.”
Then boom. You’re knee-deep in receipts, forgetting invoices, and stressing at tax time.
That’s why you need a simple tool to keep your business money in check.
Plenty of freelancers and small business owners swear by accounting software because it saves them from chaos.
It keeps track of income, expenses, and even preps your taxes.
Basically, it turns you from “uh-oh” to “I got this.” 🙂
And honestly, feeling in control of your money is half the battle when you’re building a business.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Sign up for QuickBooks, connect your bank account, and let it automatically track your expenses starting today.
4. Create a Money-Making Blog
Yes, blogging still works.
No, it’s not dead.
And if you play it right, it can pay better than your 9-to-5.
Think of a blog as your little online real estate.
Instead of renting it out, you fill it with content that earns through ads, affiliates, or digital products.
Blogging Is A Long Game
You don’t get rich overnight with blogging.
But if you stick with it, you can build something that pays month after month.
You can start for cheap. WordPress hosting costs less than a weekly pizza run.
Pick a niche you care about, write consistently, and add affiliate links.
And here’s the kicker: one viral post can change everything.
It’s like hitting a home run after striking out ten times.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Buy a cheap domain on Namecheap and hosting on Siteground, start a WordPress blog, and publish your first 1,000-word post this weekend.
5. Start a YouTube Channel
You’re already watching YouTube. Why not get paid to be on it?
You don’t need a Hollywood setup.
Your phone camera and decent lighting are enough.
The hardest part is showing up consistently and not quitting after three videos.
And FYI, people watch everything on YouTube. Unboxing socks, reviewing pens, explaining money hacks.
Yes, socks.
YouTube Can Become A Business
The money starts with ads, but the real gold is sponsorships and merch.
Build an audience, and brands start calling.
It feels weird at first, but you’re literally building an asset that lives forever online.
And let’s be real, who doesn’t want passive income while they sleep?
YouTube is your shot at that.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Record a simple 5-minute video explaining your favorite tip about a topic you like and upload it tonight.
6. Start an E-Commerce Business
You know what’s better than buying stuff online?
Selling stuff online.
E-commerce is basically you opening a digital shop without paying crazy rent for a storefront.
And right now, it’s easier than ever to start.
You can sell handmade crafts, thrift flips, or even dropship products without holding inventory.
Online Stores Are Everywhere
Platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and eBay make it plug-and-play simple.
You just need a product and some basic marketing.
And don’t stress if you’re not a “marketing genius.”
Half the game is posting your products on TikTok or Instagram with good lighting.
People love authentic sellers way more than giant corporations.
If you’re consistent, you’ll find your buyers.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Open a free Shopify trial, list three products you already own, and share them on Instagram today.
7. Offer Graphic Design Services
Ever look at a business flyer and think, “Wow… this is ugly”?
That’s where you come in.
Graphic design is in demand, and businesses desperately need it.
From logos to social posts, brands want their content to look sharp.
And you don’t need to be Picasso with Photoshop.
Design Tools Are Simple Now
Canva and Figma are free and insanely user-friendly.
You can start making decent graphics in under an hour.
As you improve, you can raise your rates and attract better clients.
People pay for good design because it makes their brand feel more professional.
And the best part? You can do it from your couch in sweatpants.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Make five fake logo samples in Canva, upload them to Behance, and send the link to three small businesses.
8. Become a Freelance Web Designer
Every business needs a website.
Shocking, right?
Yet so many small businesses still run on Facebook pages or nothing at all.
That’s a golden opportunity for you.
If you can build simple websites, you’re basically printing money.
Websites Don’t Need To Be Complicated
You don’t have to code like a Silicon Valley nerd.
WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace make building sites drag-and-drop easy.
Offer clean, professional sites that help businesses look legit.
Think of it like dressing them up for the digital world.
Charge a fair price, deliver fast, and you’ll get referrals.
Suddenly, you’re the go-to “website person” in your city.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Build a demo website using Wix for a fake bakery and show it to three local shops.
9. Start a Tutoring/Coaching Business
You know something other people don’t.
Math, English, music, coding, even Fortnite strategies (yes, people pay for that).
Turn that knowledge into a tutoring or coaching service.
Parents, students, and even adults are constantly looking for help.
And you don’t need a classroom. You just need Zoom.
Skills Can Be Turned Into Income
Tutoring doesn’t just mean school subjects.
It can be life coaching, career advice, or fitness plans.
The secret is packaging your knowledge in a way people value.
Think simple, practical lessons that actually help.
And remember, word-of-mouth spreads fast when you get results.
One happy client can turn into ten more.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Offer one free 30-minute tutoring session on Facebook Marketplace to land your first paying client.
10. Provide Pet Sitting/Dog Walking Services
People love their pets more than most of their relatives.
So when they need someone to take care of them, they want a reliable human.
That human could be you.
Pet sitting and dog walking are low-cost businesses that require almost no startup money.
You just need time, energy, and maybe some treats.
Pets Are Always In Demand
Apps like Rover make finding clients a breeze.
Or you can go old-school and hand out flyers at dog parks.
The great thing about pet services is that they’re recurring.
Once you build trust with a pet owner, they’ll call you again and again.
And let’s be real. Playing with dogs all day isn’t the worst gig.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Download Rover, create a pet sitter profile, and offer your first walk for half price.
11. Start a Home Cleaning Service
You know what never goes out of style?
A clean house.
People are busy, stressed, and too tired to scrub toilets after work.
That’s where you come in.
Home cleaning is one of the simplest businesses you can launch today.
All you need are some basic supplies and a little hustle.
Cleaning Pays Better Than You Think
You can start small. Maybe cleaning apartments in your neighborhood.
As you build a client list, you can expand into bigger homes or even offices.
It’s physical work, sure, but it’s also reliable money.
And FYI, most people pay cash for cleaning.
So you could walk out of a job with folded bills in your pocket.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Grab a few cleaning supplies, post a “local cleaning service” ad on Craigslist, and take your first booking this week.
12. Offer Video Editing Services
Everyone wants to be a content creator.
But not everyone wants to spend hours cutting clips and syncing audio.
That’s where you step in as the behind-the-scenes wizard.
Video editing is in demand across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
And if you’re decent with software, you’ll never run out of clients.
Simple Tools Can Get You Started
You don’t need Hollywood-level editing skills.
Free programs like DaVinci Resolve or iMovie are enough to get started.
As you level up, you can move to Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut.
The real key is speed and creativity.
If you can make videos pop and deliver fast, creators will pay.
And guess what? The bigger they grow, the more they’ll pay you.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Download DaVinci Resolve, edit three short videos for practice, and post them on Fiverr as portfolio samples.
13. Run a Mobile Car Wash/Detailing Service
Cars get dirty.
And people hate cleaning them.
So they pay someone else to do it. Yep, that can be you.
A mobile car wash is great because you go to the customer.
That means no expensive storefront and zero rent.
People Pay for Convenience
All you need are some buckets, soap, microfiber towels, and maybe a vacuum.
You set your prices, show up, and get the job done.
And once people trust your work, they’ll call you back again and again.
It’s not just about washing. Detailing can make you serious money.
If you focus on high-quality service, you’ll stand out in no time.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Buy a starter kit of car wash supplies and offer $25 washes in your neighborhood this weekend.
14. Start a Lawn Care/Gardening Business
You know that one house on the block with grass taller than a small child?
That’s your opportunity.
Lawn care and gardening never go out of demand.
Homeowners, landlords, and even businesses need regular upkeep.
And they’ll happily pay for it.
Simple Work, Steady Cash
Start with mowing lawns, trimming hedges, and basic gardening.
Then, expand into landscaping or seasonal services.
The startup costs are minimal if you already own a mower or basic tools.
And trust me. Word spreads fast when you keep a lawn looking sharp.
One house leads to the entire street.
Suddenly, you’ve got a steady route of weekly clients.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Print simple flyers offering lawn mowing, tape them around your block, and take your first job this week.
15. Start a Moving Help Business
Moving sucks.
Heavy boxes, awkward couches, and endless trips back and forth.
Nobody likes it. Except for movers who get paid to do it.
And here’s the thing: you don’t even need a truck to start.
You can launch as “moving help” and focus on the labor side.
People Pay Just to Avoid Lifting
You can advertise on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or TaskRabbit.
Jobs can range from carrying boxes to loading rental trucks.
You set your rates and schedule, which gives you total flexibility.
And once you get good reviews, the jobs will keep coming.
It’s sweaty work, sure, but the money is fast.
Plus, you never know. Sometimes people tip big when they’re grateful.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Create a TaskRabbit profile, list “moving help” as a service, and book your first small job this weekend.
16. Run a Paid Newsletter
You know that random advice you always give friends for free?
Yeah, turns out, people will actually pay for it.
A paid newsletter is basically you sharing your knowledge in email form.
It could be finance tips, fitness hacks, or even weekly recipes.
The secret is delivering consistent value that people look forward to.
Emails Can Make Money
Starting is cheap. Platforms like Beehiiv and Substack let you write for free.
Once you build a small audience, you can charge for premium content.
And the best part? You own your list.
No algorithm decides if your readers see your work.
It’s direct, personal, and scalable.
Plus, nothing feels better than waking up to new subscribers.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Open a free Substack account, write your first newsletter, and share it on your socials today.
17. Start a Content Creation Agency
You know how businesses are obsessed with “going viral”?
Most of them have no clue how to make it happen.
That’s where your content creation agency comes in.
You offer to handle photos, videos, blogs, and social posts as a package.
Suddenly, you’re not just freelancing. You’re running a real business.
Businesses Need Content Every Day
Companies know content builds trust and drives sales.
But they don’t have the time or creative energy to produce it.
If you step in with a small team or even just strong skills, you can charge higher rates.
Start with one service, then expand as you grow.
And when businesses see results, they’ll stick with you.
That means recurring revenue, not one-time jobs.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Team up with a freelance photographer and video editor, then pitch full-service packages to three local businesses this month.
📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌
And that’s it!
Never forget it…
🍔 A Fatter Bank Account Is Waiting For You!
😉 Dale!
