Whether you're starting a business on the side while still employed elsewhere, a student or homemaker looking for extra income, or unemployed and trying to figure out what to do, there are plenty of opportunities for you to start up a side business inexpensively. It's unlikely any of these will make you a living in the first few months, but they all have the potential to grow into full-time businesses. We'll take a look at 10 such opportunities and, most importantly, tell you what to do with the $20!
1. Webpreneur

It's what everyone who's ever surfed the Web dreams of—just stick a web site up there and watch the cash roll in! Well, that just doesn't happen overnight, but the fact of the matter is it's really not very hard to do. To do it right, start by picking a subject matter you know a lot about. Then get a domain and create a web site. It doesn't even matter what technology you use—just be totally anal-retentive about it looking good and provide plenty of original content. Now find some appropriate affiliate programs—that's where your revenues are going to come from. Next, learn everything you can about search engine marketing and promote the heck out of your site. Last of all, set aside time every week to put new content on the site, delete dead links, and other maintenance. Now do this three or four times, and you've chosen your topics well, you might actually have some decent income from it.

Spend the $20 on: $8 or less for a domain (see our Online Business Guide's list of cheap domain name registrars) and $12 for a year of hosting (search for "$1 hosting").

2. Consultant

Getting into consulting is relatively simple. All you have to do is know how to do something better than most people do, and be able to either teach people how to do it or be willing to do it for them. Networking is the key to success in this business, so start by making a list of everyone you know and giving them all a call.

Spend the $20 on: $14 on a box of clean-edge laser or inkjet business cards and $6 buying your first prospect a cup of coffee one morning.

3. Housesitter / Petsitter

Particularly since 9/11, people feel an increased need for security, and housesitting gives them some reassurance while they're out of town. This one's great because it basically requires no particular skills, just trustworthiness and reliability. Be sure to have personal references available, and you'll also need reliable transportation. If you're an animal lover, petsitting is an easy add-on.

Spend the $20 on: $2 on flyers to put up on bulletin boards, and the rest on classified ads in your local neighborhood paper (not a big city-wide one).

4. Professional Organizer
People these days are simply overwhelmed by their "stuff". While there is an ever-growing trend of people wanting to simplify their lives, most of us haven't done it yet. It's not that people really have no clue how to get organized, it just keeps moving to the bottom of the stack, both figuratively and literally. There's a prime opportunity for people to come in at a reasonable rate and get houses organized. And while there is a National Association of Professional Organizers that you can join when you're ready, mostly it takes common sense, organizational skills, and a familiarity with what can be had at your local office supply and The Container Store.

Spend the $20 on: Classified ads.

5. Avon Independent Sales Representative
Cosmetics is a virtually recession-proof business, because it's an inexpensive way for people to feel good about themselves. Avon is the largest consumer direct sales company in the world, with annual sales of nearly $6 billion. In business for well over 100 years, they have both a highly reputable product line and one of the few highly reputable multi-level marketing structures (in fact, they invented it). They also offer fashion and wellness products in addition to their beauty products. And while they bill themselves as "The Company for Women", a fairly substantial number of men have actually been very successful as Avon reps. The secret to making a living at it rather than just a little extra spending money? Build your downline—just like with any other network marketing or direct selling business.

Spend the $20 on: $10 signup fee, and $10 on brochures and a few samples.

6. Personal Services - Shopping & Errands

This is a great one going into the holiday season. Believe it or not, there are people who wouldn't be caught dead going anywhere near a mall, but they're not comfortable with buying certain items online, either. Again, trustworthiness and dependability are the key traits for this. If your car's not reliable, pick something else. Also, you won't need cash, but you'll need available credit on your credit cards, since you really can't use theirs. Consider an American Express or a Diner's Club that don't have preset spending limits. Or use a card that gives cash back reward or frequent flyer miles, and you'll make a nice little bonus for yourself.

Spend the $20 on: $1 on flyers and the rest on classified ads.

7. Desktop Publishing

It's amazing how many people have a computer and still don't know how to make a decent flyer! If you've got a good design sense, are extremely familiar with your word processor, and already have a laser or high-quality inkjet printer, you can get into desktop publishing. Create a really great-looking portfolio for yourself and go door-to-door.

Spend the $20 on: Some high-quality paper to create your samples on.

8. Tutoring

With the growing dissatisfaction with our education system and the huge growth in homeschooling, there's an unprecedented need for tutors these days for kids of all ages—even adults! If you've got a topic you can tutor in, contact the local schools, particularly private ones, and local homeschool groups, and offer your services. Don't be concerned if your topic is highly specialized—even those are in demand.

Spend the $20 on: $14 on a box of clean-edge laser or inkjet business cards and $6 on flyers.

9. eBay Seller

Yes, there really are people who make a decent living buying things at garage sales and flea markets and selling them on eBay. The big secrets? Stick to products you know (or learn before you start) extremely well, package your goods carefully, and provide impeccable customer service. It helps to have a digital camera or a scanner, but it's not required.

Spend the $20 on: Your first inventory at a garage sale.

10. Secretarial Service - Typing / Transcription / Proofreading

Many small businesses and individuals have a need for these services, but not enough need to hire a temp through an agency. Assuming you've got a computer, a printer, and e-mail (and the necessary skills), you're all set. Be prepared to charge by the job, not by the hour.

Spend the $20 on: $14 on a box of clean-edge laser or inkjet business cards and $6 on flyers.

One last thing—beware of home-based business scams that require a substantial buy-in, such as envelope-stuffing or craft item assembly. You may not lose money on it if you stick with it long enough to get really fast at it, but you'll probably never make the kind of money you're expecting to. Better to do something on your own.

不管你是正在創業的上班族，想掙點小錢花花的學生或家庭主婦，還是無所事事想找點活干的下崗人員，人人都有機會在花費不多的情況下，做些副業掙外快。剛創業的頭幾個月，你不可能指望這些小生意能幫你維持生計，但是如今的這些副業都有可能在將來成為你的正業。我們來看一下10種此類機會，我們最想告訴你的是，怎樣用20美金來創業。

 1. 網商

每一個上網沖浪的網民都在做同一個夢 ----點一下某個網址，然后看著錢如流水般奔涌而至

 嗯，這等美事不會在一夜之間發生，但要美夢成真其實也不難。正確的做法是，首先選好你所熟知的事物。然后再申請一個域名并制作一個網頁。使用什么樣的技術無關重要--但永遠也不要忘記要令網頁看起來怡人且能提供許多第一手資料。找一些相關項目-那是你的收入來源。再學學利用搜索引擎推銷的相關知識并把網頁上的寶貝推銷出去。最后，每周騰出些時間來更新網頁上的內容，刪掉無效的鏈接及對網頁進行維護。這樣重復做3-4次， 你就能選到合適的項目，并能實實在在以此謀些小利。

 拿出20美元本錢：付8美元或少于8美元訂購一個域名（參考我們的廉價域名登記網上商業指南列表）并付12美元作為一年的使用費（查找“1美元使用”）

2.咨詢師

 想進入咨詢師這個行當，相對很簡單。你所要做的就是要比大多數人更了解怎么把一件事做得更好，并能夠或者教會別人如何去做這樣一件事，或者愿意為別人做這樣一件事。人際網絡是是這類生意成與敗的關鍵，因此首先要列出一份你認識的人員名單并給每個人打個電話

 拿出20美元本錢：花14美元印一合鐳射或噴墨名片，同時在開業當天早上花6美元給自已買一杯咖啡，預祝生意興隆。

3. 看家人/寵物保姆

尤其自9/11以來，人們對安全保護的需要日漸增加，管家人可以在主人出門的時候提供看家服務，這種職業之所以說它好是因為它基本上不需要任何特別的技能，只要你可信可靠就可以了。如果你要做這種工作，一定要準備個人品格的證明材料，同時你也需要可靠的交通安排，如果你是個喜愛動物的人，寵物看護也是個很容易做的附加工作。

 拿出20美元本錢：花2美元印些傳單貼在公告牌上，余下的18美元在當地的社區報（不是全市大報）上刊登分類廣告。

4. 專業的組織者當今好多人都被他們所擁有的這樣那樣的物品給搞暈了。越來越多的人相簡化他們的生活，但大多數的人自己沒法做到這一點。并不是人們不知道該如何將東西物品組織好，而是東西不斷地越堆越多。這給那些收費合理的人們提供了一個幫人把房子組織好的先機。如果你準備好了：從一般意義來理解，有組織技能，熟悉當地辦公物品的供應和收集箱商店，就可以加入全國專業組織員協會了。

拿出20美元本錢：刊登分類廣告

5. Avon Independent Sales Representative雅芳獨立銷售代表
事實上，化妝品業是不受衰退影響的一門生意，原因是化妝是一個不用花很多錢就能令人們自我愉悅的一種產業。

雅芳是世界上最大的直銷公司，年收入達60億美元。縱橫商海100多年之久，不但擁有名牌產品生產線，還擁有為數不多的揚威四海的多層銷售架構（實際上是他們發明了這種銷售架構）

除了化妝品之外，雅芳還售賣時裝和保健品，盡管他們自稱是一個女人公司，但是有許多的男士在雅芳做業務代表也干得很不錯。想以銷售雅芳產品為生，而不賺點零花錢，有什么秘訣？建立下線-正如其它的網絡銷售或直銷業務的做法一樣。

拿出20美元本錢：10美元報名，10美元買小冊子和一些樣品

6.個人服務-購物和跑腿

這是個節日銷售旺季的好行當。

不管你信還是不信，有人走近商場就會跟差不多要死一樣，但他們又不喜歡在網上購物。還是上面說的，信任和信賴是關鍵。

如果你的車子不可靠，那就轉坐其它的交通工具。你也不需要現金，因為你根本就不需要錢，但你信用卡上要有錢。考慮用美國運通卡，教友聚餐卡這一類沒有預設消費限度的信用卡。或者使用有現金回贈的或有連續飛行公里數回贈的消費卡，這樣你就可以為自已賺點額外的獎金了。

拿出20美元本錢：1美元印刷傳單，19美元刊登分類廣告

7.臺式電腦印刷

有臺式電腦的人很多，但又有多少人懂得印刷一張得體的傳單？如果你有很好的設計感，且非常熟悉文字處理器，有鐳射或高質的打印機，那你就可以進入電腦印刷這個行當了。給自已做一個確實好看的公文包，然后挨家拚戶地串門。

拿出20美元本錢：把樣板設計印在一些高質量的紙張上。

8.教師

隨著人們對教育教育體制的日益不滿及大量家庭學校的涌現，教師的需要量非常的空前，不僅非成人教師，成人教師也如此。如果你有一個可教的課題，可以聯系當地的學校，尤其私人的那一類學校，也可以聯系當地的家庭學校集團，向他們提供你的服務。不必擔心你的課題夠不夠專業-既便是需求緊俏的課題也不必多慮。

拿出20美元本錢：1美元印刷傳單，19美元刊登分類廣告

9. eBay網商

對，確實有不少人靠把在家庭現場舊貨出售和跳蚤市場淘到的東西放到eBay上面去而賣過上了體面的生活。這是天大的秘密？盯住你了如指掌的商品（或者先學了再開始做），好好包裝，再提供完善的客戶服務。如果有一臺數碼相機或掃描儀，效果會更佳，但這不是必需的。

拿出20美元本錢：先在家庭現場舊貨出售市場買一些商品

10. 秘書服務-打字/改編/較對

許多小生意和個人對這一類服務都會有需求，但需求的程度并沒有達到要通過中介請臨時工的程度。

如果你有計算機，打印機，和電郵（及必要的技能）那么你是萬事俱備，只欠東風了。

要有準備按工取酬，而不是按時取酬。

拿出20美元本錢：花14美元印一合鐳射或噴墨名片，再花6美元印刷傳單。

最后一件事要提醒所有想掙外快的人-居家的小生意需要購進很多材料，象糊信封或工藝品制作。雖然貼的時間長一些以求更加牢固的效果不會造成任何經濟上的損失，但是掙到的錢就沒有那么多了。