Starting a side hustle sounds exciting—until you realize most of the advice out there expects you to invest thousands of dollars, have a social media following, or hire designers, developers, and coaches. For many moms, that’s just not realistic.
If you’re juggling kids, maybe a job, and bills that already stretch your budget, the idea of spending money to make money feels impossible. What you really need are strategies that start from zero dollars and build from there.
Fortunately, there are books—good ones—that were written for moms just like you.
These are the books that understand what it’s like to be scraping by, to want something more, and to have absolutely no extra money to fund it. No expensive courses, no branded packaging, no $100/month software tools. Just honest, practical, low-cost (or no-cost) strategies that help you earn online or from home.
Let’s dive into the best side hustle books for moms who need to start with what they’ve got—right now.
Why Starting with Zero Isn’t a Disadvantage
Having no money might seem like a roadblock, but in reality, it forces you to get creative, resourceful, and intentional. And that’s actually a superpower for side hustles. Why?
- You won’t waste time or money on unnecessary tools or “shiny object” distractions.
- You’ll learn profitable skills like writing, selling, and positioning from the ground up.
- You’ll own 100% of what you build—because you won’t owe investors, partners, or loan payments.
You just need the right roadmap. That’s what these books deliver.
📘 1. The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
Best For: Learning how to start with skills, not startup capital
This is the book that launched a movement. While the title says $100, most of the businesses Chris profiles started with far less—including many built by women juggling families.
The book walks you through:
- Finding a hustle idea based on your existing skills
- Testing the market with minimal risk
- Turning a small idea into consistent income
Why it’s great for moms with no money:
It shows how people with no special background or funding built small, sustainable businesses—often from a kitchen table.
📖 Bonus: Chris also wrote Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days if you want a structured plan with even more hand-holding.
📘 2. Start from Zero by Dane Maxwell
Best For: Building a business around what people need, not what you think you should sell
This book flips traditional entrepreneurship on its head. Instead of starting with your passion or your product idea, you learn how to find other people’s pain points and offer solutions—without spending money upfront.
Dane teaches:
- How to validate an idea before building anything
- How to sell something before you create it
- How to listen deeply to what people will pay for
Why it’s powerful for moms:
You don’t need a product. You don’t need a brand. You need to learn how to identify real needs—and this book teaches you how.
📘 3. The $50 Startup by Rachel Rofé
Best For: Selling low-cost print-on-demand products like mugs, journals, or shirts
Rachel is known for building a seven-figure business using print-on-demand platforms that don’t require upfront inventory or even design skills. She walks you through using services like Gearbubble, Etsy, and Amazon to list products without buying a thing upfront.
You’ll learn:
- What to sell and where
- How to write listings that convert
- How to keep your costs at nearly zero
Why moms love it:
- You don’t need to be creative
- You don’t need to ship anything
- You can work on it in short bursts while the kids nap
Perfect if you want something scalable without touching inventory.
📘 4. How to Start an Online Business for $0 by Rob Pene
Best For: Moms who want a practical overview of free tools and platforms
This book doesn’t assume you have money, a website, or any clue where to begin. It’s straightforward and incredibly beginner-friendly.
It includes:
- Free tools to build a website
- How to sell services without software
- Strategies to start freelancing immediately
Why it’s worth reading:
It’s not hype. It’s not tech-jargon. Just a real guide for starting lean and smart.
📘 5. You Are a Mogul by Tiffany Pham
Best For: Moms who want to build long-term impact with no budget
Tiffany built her media company, Mogul, from scratch—while working full-time and with no outside funding. Her book is inspirational and strategic.
She covers:
- How to grow a brand from your story
- How to network and pitch with confidence
- How to run lean while scaling big
Why it’s different:
It’s about building a mission-driven hustle, not just extra cash—and it’s especially inspiring for moms who want to build a legacy.
📘 6. Passive Income Through Printables by Julie Berninger
Best For: Creative or organized moms who love planners, checklists, or templates
This book teaches how to use free tools like Canva to design simple products (like budget trackers or meal planners) and sell them on Etsy or Shopify without spending anything up front.
You’ll learn:
- How to research what sells
- How to design without being a designer
- How to create a passive income stream with zero risk
Why moms love it:
It’s flexible, repeatable, and doesn’t require customer service once it’s set up. Also? You can do the whole thing during nap time.
📘 7. The Freelance Way by Robert Vlach
Best For: Moms who want to freelance their way to financial freedom
Freelancing is one of the easiest paths to income when you have no money. Whether you write, edit, tutor, design, or even just type fast, there’s something you can offer.
This book teaches:
- How to find freelance gigs fast
- How to price your services
- How to build credibility without a website or portfolio
Why it’s great for no-budget moms:
Freelancing needs nothing but a skill and an internet connection. No startup costs, no materials, no inventory.
📘 8. Skip the Startup by Jon Bowes
Best For: Moms who want a shortcut to earning with existing demand
This book teaches you how to skip the “build a brand” part and instead plug into systems already working—like reselling, local services, or platform-based gigs (Fiverr, Upwork, Rover, etc.).
You’ll learn:
- How to identify fast income ideas that require zero setup
- How to use demand-driven marketplaces to get started fast
- How to avoid overthinking and start earning now
Why it matters:
Some moms don’t want to build a brand or blog. They just need cash. This book helps you get there without delay.
📘 9. Make Money As a Virtual Assistant by Gina Horkey
Best For: Moms who are organized, good communicators, or admin-savvy
Virtual assistance is one of the best side hustles for moms—especially those with customer service, social media, or administrative skills.
This book covers:
- What services VAs offer
- How to find your first client (free methods)
- How to scale over time
Why it’s ideal for no-budget beginners:
You don’t need software. You don’t need branding. You need a Gmail account and the will to learn. That’s it.
📘 10. 100 Side Hustle Ideas for Women by S.J. Scott
Best For: Idea overload—quick wins without spending money
This is more of a list than a manual, but it’s incredibly helpful if you feel stuck. Many of the ideas are online-based, don’t require products or money, and are geared toward women with limited time.
Each idea includes:
- A difficulty rating
- Expected time to profit
- Cost to start (most are free or under $10)
Why moms love it:
It’s fast to skim. You’ll find at least 3 ideas that are doable for you, today, for free.
What You Don’t Need to Start a Side Hustle
Let’s bust some myths right now:
You don’t need:
- A website
- A product
- A logo
- Paid ads
- A massive Instagram following
What you do need:
- A skill or service (you likely already have one)
- A way to communicate (email, social, or marketplace)
- A willingness to learn, test, and adjust
If you have access to a phone or computer and a few minutes a day, you can build something real. You just need to follow advice that meets you where you are.
Choosing the Right Book for You
Here’s a quick guide to help you pick based on your goals:
| Your Situation | Read This |
|---|---|
| You have no money at all | Start from Zero, The $50 Startup, How to Start an Online Business for $0 |
| You want passive income | Passive Income Through Printables, The $100 Startup |
| You want to sell a service | The Freelance Way, Make Money As a Virtual Assistant |
| You’re overwhelmed and need clarity | 100 Side Hustle Ideas for Women, Skip the Startup |
| You want to build long-term legacy | You Are a Mogul |
Final Thoughts: No Money Isn’t No Hope
You don’t need a fancy website, business cards, or a professional photoshoot. You don’t need to buy software subscriptions or pay for online courses you’ll never finish.
You just need a quiet moment, a good book, and a willingness to try.
The truth is, the most powerful businesses often come from moms who had nothing but grit, goals, and Google.
You’re not behind. You’re not too late. And you’re definitely not alone.
These books are your toolkit. Now let’s build something—no money required.
