How to Start a Side Hustle When You’re Broke & Overwhelmed
Starting a side hustle sounds exciting… until the overwhelm hits.
“What should I do?”
“Do I need money to start?”
“What if I fail?”
“I don’t even have skills…”
If that’s you, breathe. You don’t need to have everything figured out. You don’t need money. You don’t need confidence. You just need a small, doable starting point.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to start a side hustle even if you’re broke, clueless, and overwhelmed. No fancy tools. No confusing steps. Just a simple path you can follow today.
- 1. Stop Overthinking What Side Hustle to Choose
- 2. Choose Something That Matches Your Energy, Not Your “Dream Skill”
- 3. Use What You Already Have (Your Phone, Your Time, Your Skills)
- 4. Focus on Earning Your First $20, Not $200
- 5. Learn Just Enough to Start (Not Everything)
- 6. Use Free Tools Only in the Beginning
- 7. Build a Simple Routine (Not a Complicated Strategy)
- 8. Expect to Be Messy in the Beginning (It’s Normal)
- 9. Track Your Small Wins
- 10. Believe This: You Don’t Need to Know Everything to Start
- Final Thoughts
1. Stop Overthinking What Side Hustle to Choose
The biggest reason people stay stuck?
They try to find the perfect idea.
Here’s the truth:
Your first side hustle is not your forever side hustle.
Just pick something simple that doesn’t require money to start, like:
- Selling digital templates
- Offering a basic service (typing, research, Canva work)
- Reselling items you no longer need
- Starting a small blog or TikTok account
- Doing microtasks online
Start small, learn as you go, upgrade later.
2. Choose Something That Matches Your Energy, Not Your “Dream Skill”
Most people think they must be talented or skilled. Nope.
Instead, ask yourself:
- What feels easiest for me right now?
- What doesn’t drain me?
- What can I do even on a tired, messy day?
Examples:
If you like organizing → offer digital decluttering.
If you like Canva → sell simple templates.
If you love scrolling TikTok → manage someone’s content ideas.
Pick a path that feels light, not heavy.
3. Use What You Already Have (Your Phone, Your Time, Your Skills)
You don’t need to buy anything to start earning.
Use what’s already in your hands:
- Your phone → for TikTok, reselling, surveys, microjobs
- Your laptop → for simple services
- Your hobbies → for small gigs
- Your personality → content creation or reviewing products
- Your past experiences → tutoring or helping others
Starting broke doesn’t make you weak.
It makes you resourceful.
4. Focus on Earning Your First $20, Not $200
When you’re overwhelmed, big goals feel impossible.
So shrink it.
Your only goal right now is to earn your first $20 online.
Why?
Because that $20 proves:
- You can do it
- People are willing to pay
- You have a starting point
- Your confidence will grow
After the first $20, the next $50 becomes easier. Then $100.
Momentum > perfection.
5. Learn Just Enough to Start (Not Everything)
You don’t need a course.
You don’t need to master everything.
You just need to learn enough to take your first tiny step.
Example:
If you want to sell templates → learn 1 Canva tutorial.
If you want to offer simple services → learn how to send a client message.
If you want to start content → learn 1 editing trick.
Start → learn → improve → repeat.
6. Use Free Tools Only in the Beginning
Here are beginner-friendly, completely free tools to help you start:
- Canva – design templates, social media posts, planners
- Google Docs – write, plan, organize
- TikTok & Pinterest – promote your side hustle
- Notion – keep track of ideas & earnings
- Fiverr / Upwork / Facebook Groups – offer services
Start free. Upgrade later only when it makes sense.
7. Build a Simple Routine (Not a Complicated Strategy)
You don’t need a business plan.
Just a tiny daily or weekly routine.
Example routine:
- 10 minutes learning something new
- 10 minutes working on your idea
- 10 minutes posting or promoting
30 minutes a day → results over time.
Consistency beats motivation.
8. Expect to Be Messy in the Beginning (It’s Normal)
Your first design will be ugly.
Your first content will be cringe.
Your first gig might pay little.
Your first buyer might be a stranger.
This is NORMAL.
Everyone starts messy.
Everyone feels lost.
Everyone doubts themselves.
But messy action grows your income.
Overthinking grows nothing.
9. Track Your Small Wins
You’re broke now, but not forever.
Track every tiny achievement:
- First $1 earned
- First follower
- First client message
- First sale
- First week of consistency
These wins remind you that you’re moving forward—even if slowly.
10. Believe This: You Don’t Need to Know Everything to Start
You’re not behind
You’re not late.
You’re not weak for starting small.
You’re brave for even trying.
Your side hustle journey doesn’t start with money—it starts with intent.
And as long as you keep taking small steps, your income will grow.
Final Thoughts
Starting a side hustle when you’re broke and overwhelmed isn’t easy…
but it is possible.
Begin with one tiny idea.
Use what you already have.
Learn step by step.
Stay consistent.
Don’t quit after your first mistake.
Your financial freedom won’t magically appear—it’s built through small, imperfect steps.
And this is your first step. ❤️