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.

不管你是正在创业的上班族，想挣点小钱花花的学生或家庭主妇，还是无所事事想找点活干的下岗人员，人人都有机会在花费不多的情况下，做些副业挣外快。刚创业的头几个月，你不可能指望这些小生意能帮你维持生计，但是如今的这些副业都有可能在将来成为你的正业。我们来看一下10种此类机会，我们最想告诉你的是，怎样用20美金来创业。

 1. 网商

每一个上网冲浪的网民都在做同一个梦 ----点一下某个网址，然后看着钱如流水般奔涌而至

 嗯，这等美事不会在一夜之间发生，但要美梦成真其实也不难。正确的做法是，首先选好你所熟知的事物。然后再申请一个域名并制作一个网页。使用什么样的技术无关重要--但永远也不要忘记要令网页看起来怡人且能提供许多第一手资料。找一些相关项目-那是你的收入来源。再学学利用搜索引擎推销的相关知识并把网页上的宝贝推销出去。最后，每周腾出些时间来更新网页上的内容，删掉无效的链接及对网页进行维护。这样重复做3-4次， 你就能选到合适的项目，并能实实在在以此谋些小利。

 拿出20美元本钱：付8美元或少于8美元订购一个域名（参考我们的廉价域名登记网上商业指南列表）并付12美元作为一年的使用费（查找“1美元使用”）

2.咨询师

 想进入咨询师这个行当，相对很简单。你所要做的就是要比大多数人更了解怎么把一件事做得更好，并能够或者教会别人如何去做这样一件事，或者愿意为别人做这样一件事。人际网络是是这类生意成与败的关键，因此首先要列出一份你认识的人员名单并给每个人打个电话

 拿出20美元本钱：花14美元印一合镭射或喷墨名片，同时在开业当天早上花6美元给自已买一杯咖啡，预祝生意兴隆。

3. 看家人/宠物保姆

尤其自9/11以来，人们对安全保护的需要日渐增加，管家人可以在主人出门的时候提供看家服务，这种职业之所以说它好是因为它基本上不需要任何特别的技能，只要你可信可靠就可以了。如果你要做这种工作，一定要准备个人品格的证明材料，同时你也需要可靠的交通安排，如果你是个喜爱动物的人，宠物看护也是个很容易做的附加工作。

 拿出20美元本钱：花2美元印些传单贴在公告牌上，余下的18美元在当地的社区报（不是全市大报）上刊登分类广告。

4. 专业的组织者当今好多人都被他们所拥有的这样那样的物品给搞晕了。越来越多的人相简化他们的生活，但大多数的人自己没法做到这一点。并不是人们不知道该如何将东西物品组织好，而是东西不断地越堆越多。这给那些收费合理的人们提供了一个帮人把房子组织好的先机。如果你准备好了：从一般意义来理解，有组织技能，熟悉当地办公物品的供应和收集箱商店，就可以加入全国专业组织员协会了。

拿出20美元本钱：刊登分类广告

5. Avon Independent Sales Representative雅芳独立销售代表
事实上，化妆品业是不受衰退影响的一门生意，原因是化妆是一个不用花很多钱就能令人们自我愉悦的一种产业。

雅芳是世界上最大的直销公司，年收入达60亿美元。纵横商海100多年之久，不但拥有名牌产品生产线，还拥有为数不多的扬威四海的多层销售架构（实际上是他们发明了这种销售架构）

除了化妆品之外，雅芳还售卖时装和保健品，尽管他们自称是一个女人公司，但是有许多的男士在雅芳做业务代表也干得很不错。想以销售雅芳产品为生，而不赚点零花钱，有什么秘诀？建立下线-正如其它的网络销售或直销业务的做法一样。

拿出20美元本钱：10美元报名，10美元买小册子和一些样品

6.个人服务-购物和跑腿

这是个节日销售旺季的好行当。

不管你信还是不信，有人走近商场就会跟差不多要死一样，但他们又不喜欢在网上购物。还是上面说的，信任和信赖是关键。

如果你的车子不可靠，那就转坐其它的交通工具。你也不需要现金，因为你根本就不需要钱，但你信用卡上要有钱。考虑用美国运通卡，教友聚餐卡这一类没有预设消费限度的信用卡。或者使用有现金回赠的或有连续飞行公里数回赠的消费卡，这样你就可以为自已赚点额外的奖金了。

拿出20美元本钱：1美元印刷传单，19美元刊登分类广告

7.台式电脑印刷

有台式电脑的人很多，但又有多少人懂得印刷一张得体的传单？如果你有很好的设计感，且非常熟悉文字处理器，有镭射或高质的打印机，那你就可以进入电脑印刷这个行当了。给自已做一个确实好看的公文包，然后挨家拚户地串门。

拿出20美元本钱：把样板设计印在一些高质量的纸张上。

8.教师

随着人们对教育教育体制的日益不满及大量家庭学校的涌现，教师的需要量非常的空前，不仅非成人教师，成人教师也如此。如果你有一个可教的课题，可以联系当地的学校，尤其私人的那一类学校，也可以联系当地的家庭学校集团，向他们提供你的服务。不必担心你的课题够不够专业-既便是需求紧俏的课题也不必多虑。

拿出20美元本钱：1美元印刷传单，19美元刊登分类广告

9. eBay网商

对，确实有不少人靠把在家庭现场旧货出售和跳蚤市场淘到的东西放到eBay上面去而卖过上了体面的生活。这是天大的秘密？盯住你了如指掌的商品（或者先学了再开始做），好好包装，再提供完善的客户服务。如果有一台数码相机或扫描仪，效果会更佳，但这不是必需的。

拿出20美元本钱：先在家庭现场旧货出售市场买一些商品

10. 秘书服务-打字/改编/较对

许多小生意和个人对这一类服务都会有需求，但需求的程度并没有达到要通过中介请临时工的程度。

如果你有计算机，打印机，和电邮（及必要的技能）那么你是万事俱备，只欠东风了。

要有准备按工取酬，而不是按时取酬。

拿出20美元本钱：花14美元印一合镭射或喷墨名片，再花6美元印刷传单。

最后一件事要提醒所有想挣外快的人-居家的小生意需要购进很多材料，象糊信封或工艺品制作。虽然贴的时间长一些以求更加牢固的效果不会造成任何经济上的损失，但是挣到的钱就没有那么多了。