ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / MONEY 101

Four side hustlers share their best $20 investments

While $20 may not seem a lot, it made a big difference for these hustlers.
UPDATED JUL 2, 2024
Cover image source: Representative Image. Pexels | Photo by Karolina Kaboompics
Cover image source: Representative Image. Pexels | Photo by Karolina Kaboompics

With rising costs and high inflation, the value of $20 doesn’t seem a lot. However, if spent on the right things at the right time, it can go a long way. This is what many side hustlers shared when asked about the best $20 they have ever spent on their ventures. The stories showed how even a small investment can help businesses boost their revenue streams.  Here are the best of the stories shared by side hustlers.

Representative Image | Unsplash | Photo by Garrhet Sampson
Representative Image | Unsplash | Photo by Garrhet Sampson

Photo illustration of the logo of social media apps | Getty Images | Photo by Matt Cardy
Representative Image | Getty Images | Photo by Matt Cardy

Julie Lacouture, a consultant for nonprofit organizations, also works as a potter. In her 10 years of experience, Lacouture has made several financial moves. She told GOBankingRates that the best $20 she ever spent was on a software subscription to Later.com. The subscription helped her schedule her social media posts and an entire week’s content in just an hour.  

“I set it and forgot it,” she said in the report. She added that the $20 investment allowed to her go on with her original job through the week, and at the same time, it helped her grow a significant social media presence that brought her more opportunities.

Representative Image | Unsplash | Photo by Kelly Sikkema
Representative Image | Unsplash | Photo by Kelly Sikkema

A full-time travel agent and content creator for the platform HoneymoonAlways.com, Dan Bagby once freelanced as a content creator. His best $20 was spent on getting the Canva Pro subscription, which is now worth $15 a month. He said that he used his subscription for all sorts of things like making flyers, YouTube Thumbnails, proposals, and more which allowed him to land more gigs.

A Goodwill retail store front in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle | Getty Images
Representative Image | Getty Images

Leverage Planning CEO Rhett Stubbendeck used to thrift and resell online to make extra cash. He told the publication that he started his side hustle with $20. He went to a local thrift store and picked up a few items that he thought were cool.

He got some vintage clothes and electronics and listed them on platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Since he posted decent images, the items sold quickly and Stubbendeck turned his $20 into $50.

Stubbendeck added, “I took that money, bought more stuff, and kept the cycle going,” he told GOBankingRates. He added that eventually, he built a steady source of income from that side hustle.

 Cierra Gaytan-Leach of the Hard Eights prepares to serve during the Major League Pickleball finals match |  Getty Images | Photo by Emilee Chinn
Representative Image | Getty Images | Photo by Emilee Chinn

A Civil/Structural Designer at Allied Engineering and Design, Michael Chien saw an opportunity in the meteoric rise of Pickleball’s popularity. Chien started his side hustle about three years ago, selling pickleball equipment. He recalls that the inspiration for his business came from a $14 pickleball paddle from Amazon.

Chien who bought the paddle to play with it, realized that it didn’t meet his expectations. Thus, it prompted him to design and manufacture his paddles to make the gameplay better. He says the initial $14 paddle helped him understand the needs of players, enthusiasts, and eventually the market of pickleball equipment itself.

Today, Chein makes and sells his custom paddles through his company, 101 Pickelball. Thus, the mere $14 paddle led to the creation of a profitable and well-loved company for Chien.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
Although she didn't get a deal, her appearance on "Shark Tank" significantly increased the visibility of her brand.
1 day ago
Back in 2017, a woman spotted an envelope lying at a Walmart store with an important message.
2 days ago
The condition does make a difference, but some vintage pairs have fetched a good price even though they were in bad shape.
3 days ago
You can make good money selling or pawning vintage items or other items in good condition.
3 days ago
The models who present the prizes have also become popular faces on the show and have bagged other projects.
5 days ago
If you have a box of Disney VHS tapes in around your house, it's time to pull them out because they could be worth thousands.
6 days ago
He always makes it a point to buy two tickets at a time and select his own numbers.
Nov 12, 2024
The woman was apprehensive about the transaction and shared her experience on social media.
Nov 12, 2024
The woman even went on to say that her father's spirit had a role to play in her lucky streak.
Nov 11, 2024
Apart from coming up with a unique idea, O'Leary also shared tips on pitching a business.
Nov 11, 2024
The wealthy in Korea were hiding their money at home to avoid high tax rates at the time.
Nov 9, 2024
Walmart had earlier removed self-checkout kiosks from some of its stores but does not have plans for other outlets.
Nov 9, 2024
The man was trying to buy items worth less than $500 and insisted that his note was real.
Nov 8, 2024
The woman learned the importance of remembering her credentials and now keeps her crypto in a storage device.
Nov 5, 2024
The economist did use calculations to increase his odds but did not break a single law.
Nov 5, 2024
One of them said that talking to neighbors before launching the dog park at home is the key.
Nov 4, 2024
Some apps do have the option to secure the funds using bank accounts linked to them.
Nov 4, 2024
The retired security guard heard an announcement on television that a particular lottery ticket hadn’t found its prize winner yet.
Nov 4, 2024
The couple are unapologetic about their decision and even have a club dedicated to spending the inheritance of kids.
Nov 3, 2024
Anything from old Chinaware to vintage video games and Pokemon cards may be rare collectibles in this day and age.
Oct 31, 2024