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Side Hustle Tools I Use to Make Money

20 items

Cade Elliott

When I started my first side hustle, I thought I needed to reinvent the wheel… turns out I just needed the right tools. These are the exact kinds of resources that helped me go from “where do I even start?” to “wait… I’m actually making money doing t...

Sections

Content Creation

Learning & Skills

Selling Platforms

Finance and Tracking

Enablement Tools

Content Creation

Tools that make your content look sharp and professional without needing a studio budget. A few smart upgrades in lighting, editing, or sound can completely transform how people see your work.

The first time I recorded a video with a ring light, I looked like I’d been blessed by perfect morning sunlight. No more grainy Zoom calls or shadowy product photos — it’s a total game-changer.

Ring Light

When I started recording podcasts, I used my laptop mic. Bad idea. I upgraded to a Blue Yeti and suddenly people thought I had a studio. Crystal clear audio makes all the difference.

Blue Microphones Yeti Silver USB Mic for PC

I edited my first TikTok here, and when it got more likes than anything I’d ever posted, I realized editing matters way more than I thought.

Adobe Premiere Rush - Video editing app

Working hunched over my laptop on the couch made me feel 90 years old. This little stand saved my neck—literally.

Portable Laptop Stands

Learning & Skills

Your side hustle grows as you grow, and that means sharpening your skills and expanding what you know. Every new skill feels like unlocking a superpower that makes you more confident and more valuable.

I watched Sara Blakely (Spanx founder) explain entrepreneurship, and I felt like I’d just had coffee with a billionaire mentor. Total mindset shift.

MasterClass

I learned enough Excel tricks in one course to impress a client and score repeat work. It felt like unlocking cheat codes.

Coursera Business Analytics Specialization

I sold my first digital planner after learning from this tool and got a notification at 2 a.m. that someone in Australia had bought it. Etsy makes it easy to reach people who value creativity — even on the other side of the planet.

Etsy Seller Handbook

Tips and tricks for turning your creative skills into income.

Skillshare

Inspiring stories of people who built businesses with tiny investments.

The $100 Startup: Reinvent Your Living

One of my favorite hacks: listening to 15-minute book summaries while running errands. It makes me feel productive even at the grocery store.

Blinkist

Selling Platforms

These are the places where your ideas turn into income, letting you reach buyers across the world. There’s nothing like waking up to a sale notification from someone you’ve never met—it makes the hustle feel real.

My first Shopify store was selling digital downloads, and I launched it in a weekend. No coding, no tears — just a simple setup that made me feel like I was running a real online business.

Shopify

When I needed my first logo, I spent $20 on Fiverr and had something I was proud to put on my website within 48 hours. Whether you’re finding gigs to make money or hiring help so you can focus on your strengths, Fiverr is a goldmine.

Fiverr

Find freelance gigs in every field, from web development to admin support.

Upwork

Finance and Tracking

Money may not be the flashiest part of a side hustle, but keeping it organized is what keeps your business alive. The right apps and tools make managing cash flow and taxes surprisingly easy (and far less stressful).

The first year I had to file taxes for my side hustle, I nearly cried over the receipts. QuickBooks now tracks it all for me automatically — mileage, expenses, invoices. No more panic in April.

QuickBooks | Self-Employed Accounting Software for Solopreneurs

My brain is basically a browser with 57 tabs open, but Trello keeps me sane. Color-coded boards, checklists, and due dates help me keep side hustle chaos under control.

Trello

Enablement Tools

Behind every successful hustle is a solid set of tools that keep things organized and running smoothly. These platforms handle the background work so you can focus on the creative, client-facing, or money-making parts.

I am not a designer, but Canva made me feel like one. I once whipped up a polished Instagram ad in the middle of a coffee shop, and the barista thought I worked in marketing. Nope — just Canva magic.

Canva Pro | Your all-in-one design solution

Sell custom T-shirts, mugs, and more without keeping inventory.

Printful

Having a professional email (not [email protected]) instantly makes you seem legit. Plus, Docs, Sheets, and Drive keep all my side hustle stuff in one place.

Google Workspace

Polish your emails, proposals, and social posts to perfection.

Grammarly Pro: The Best Plan for Individuals & Teams

Learn to test, adapt, and grow your business the smart way.

The Lean Startup: How Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation