Money Hacks for Broke People: How to Build Wealth with $0

Being broke doesn’t mean you have to stay broke. If you have $0 to your name, you can still start building wealth with the right strategies. This guide will walk you through how to make money, manage it wisely, and start growing your financial future—without spending a dime.

::Money Hacks for Broke People

Step 1: Start Making Money with $0 (Online & Offline)

The first step to getting out of a financial rut is finding income sources that require no upfront investment. Here are some legitimate ways to start earning money immediately:

📱 Online Income Sources

1. Freelancing (Writing, Graphic Design, Virtual Assistance, etc.) – Sign up for Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer and start offering your skills.

2. Survey & Reward Sites – Use Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and Survey Junkie to earn cash and gift cards.

3. Resell Items You Don’t Need – Sell clothes, electronics, or household items on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay.

4. Remote Customer Service Jobs – Many companies hire work-from-home support reps with no experience (check Amazon, Apple, and Alorica).

5. Affiliate Marketing – Sign up for free affiliate programs (Amazon Associates, Rakuten, CJ Affiliate) and share links on social media.

6. Test Websites & Apps – Earn up to $10 per test by reviewing websites on UserTesting or TryMyUI.

   
   

🛠️ Offline Income Sources

1. Flipping Free Items – Use Craigslist’s “free” section or Facebook groups to find items, then clean and resell them.

2. TaskRabbit & Gig Work – Earn fast cash by helping with moving, assembling furniture, or deliveries.

3. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking – Use Rover or Wag to find pet care gigs in your area.

4. Odd Jobs & Side Work – Offer skills like car washing, lawn mowing, or house cleaning.

5. Scrap Metal Recycling – Collect and sell metal scraps from junkyards and construction sites.

   
   
   
   

   

   
   

Step 2: Prioritize Paying Bills & Reducing Expenses

Once you have some money coming in, the next step is to control your expenses and avoid late fees.

🏠 Cover Essentials First

• Rent & Utilities: If struggling, ask for payment plans or rent assistance programs.

• Food: Use food banks, discount grocery apps (Too Good to Go), and store loyalty rewards.

• Transportation: Consider carpooling, public transport, or biking instead of rideshares.

  
  

🛑 Cut Unnecessary Costs

• Cancel unused subscriptions (use Rocket Money to track them).

• Negotiate lower internet, phone, and insurance bills.

• Use cashback apps like Rakuten, Ibotta, and Fetch Rewards to save on purchases.

Step 3: Start Budgeting (Even on a Low Income)

Even if you’re starting with little money, budgeting will help you gain control over your finances.

💡 Simple Budgeting Plan

1. Write down ALL income & expenses – Use Google Sheets or a budgeting app like Mint.

2. Use the 50/30/20 rule:

   • 50% on needs (rent, food, utilities)

   • 30% on wants (entertainment, fun money)

   • 20% on savings & debt

3. Track daily spending – Small expenses add up fast.

   
   

   Download our Personal Monthly Budget Template for free below:

   
   

Step 4: Save Money While Shopping

Even if you're broke, there are ways to spend less and stretch your dollars.

🛒 Shopping Hacks

• Use coupons & promo codes – Try Honey, Capital One Shopping, and P&G Good Everyday.

• Shop at discount stores – Dollar stores, Aldi, and clearance sections offer big savings.

• Buy in bulk – Stock up on essentials when they’re on sale.

• Use cashback & rewards programs – Stack savings with store loyalty cards and apps.

• Get freebies – Check Freecycle, Craigslist Free, and Facebook Free Groups.

Step 5: Grow Your Income & Build Wealth

Once you start making money, the goal is to increase your earnings and create long-term financial stability.

💸 Ways to Grow Your Income

1. Get a Better-Paying Job – Upgrade skills using free courses (Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning).

2. Invest Wisely (Even with $5) – Start with acorns, Robinhood, or a high-yield savings account.

3. Create Passive Income – Sell digital products, start a blog, or launch a YouTube channel.

4. Use Credit Cards Responsibly – Get a rewards credit card, but pay off the balance each month.

5. Automate Savings – Set up a free automatic savings plan with Chime or Oportun.

   
   

Final Thoughts: Take Action Now!

Being broke is temporary, but taking action today will set you up for a better financial future. Start with one small step, whether it's earning extra cash, budgeting smarter, or cutting costs. The sooner you start, the faster you’ll see results! Hopefully these tips for Money Hacks for Broke People inspired you to get out there and start making some money!

🔥 Which money hack will you try first? Drop a comment below and share your progress! 🚀