One of the first questions moms ask when they’re ready to launch a digital side hustle is, “How much is this going to cost me?” With a family to care for and a tight budget, the idea of starting a business can feel intimidating—or downright impossible.
But here’s the truth: You can absolutely start a side hustle from home on a shoestring budget. In fact, many moms build their first digital product businesses for less than the cost of a Target run.
Let’s break down what you actually need to get started—and what you don’t—so you can begin with confidence.
💰 DEFINITION: What Do We Mean by “Start-Up Cost”?
Start-up cost refers to the money you need to get your side hustle up and running. For digital product businesses, this usually includes things like:
- Tools to create your product
- A platform to sell it on
- Optional branding or design elements
Unlike physical businesses, there’s no inventory, no shipping, and no big overhead.
🧾 Typical Start-Up Costs for a Digital Side Hustle
Here’s a basic breakdown of common tools and platforms and what they cost:
✅ Free or Low-Cost Tools
- Canva (Free or Pro $12.99/month): Design your product, mockups, and promo graphics
- Etsy ($0.20/listing + ~6.5% fees): Sell digital products on a budget
- Stan Store ($29/month): Great for all-in-one selling if you plan to use social media
- Payhip (Free plan available): Another simple shop option with no upfront cost
🧰 Optional Tools
- Email marketing tool (MailerLite, ConvertKit, etc.): Free up to a certain number of subscribers
- Domain name ($12/year): Optional for branding if you want a custom URL
- Templates or PLR resources ($10–$50): Save time and give you a head start
Estimated Cost to Start:
- Totally free (if you use Canva free + Payhip)
- $20–$50 for a basic Etsy setup with a few listings
- $30–$100/month if you choose Stan Store + Canva Pro + email list
🛑 What You Don’t Need to Pay for Right Away
Here’s what you can skip for now:
- Expensive website builders
- Branding packages or logos
- Ads or influencer campaigns
- Business cards
Focus on creating one valuable product and getting it in front of people. You can upgrade your tools later.
🧠 Budget-Friendly Tips
- Start with what you know. Use your life experience to create something helpful (planners, checklists, templates, etc.)
- Use free trials wisely. Test tools before committing
- Reuse and repurpose templates. Create once, sell forever
- Grow as you go. You don’t need a full brand or business to get your first sale
📈 What You’re Really Investing In
Even if you only spend $30 to start, what you’re really investing in is:
- Confidence and momentum
- Flexible income potential
- A creative outlet that works around your life
You’re building an asset that can grow, evolve, and eventually generate passive income—without sacrificing your time or sanity.
🎁 Want Help Choosing What to Start With?
I created a free guide to help you figure out exactly what to sell, where to sell it, and how to get started without wasting money.
📥 Download: “Selling Digital Products from Home”
Inside, you’ll get:
- Side hustle ideas based on your skills
- Low-cost tools to start
- Simple steps to launch your first digital product
👉 Click here to grab your free guide now
💬 Final Thoughts
Starting a digital side hustle doesn’t require thousands of dollars or a business loan. You can begin with the tools you already have and grow from there.
Don’t let cost hold you back from building something that could change your life.
Start small. Stay scrappy. You’ve got this. 💛
