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Balancing studies with the goal of becoming a millionaire sounds like a stretch, especially when you're broke, buried in books, and wondering if college was even the right move. The truth? You’re not alone. Many students face this exact struggle — studying hard, budgeting tight, and questioning the ROI of their education.
A study found that 23% of bachelor’s degrees actually have a negative return on investment. Even worse, 41% of graduates end up in jobs that don’t require a degree. So if you’ve been wondering whether there’s a better way, you might be on to something.
One thing most millionaires have in common? Multiple streams of income. In fact:
- 65% have at least three income streams
- 45% have four
- 29% have more than five
That said, a lot of these income sources aren’t exactly dorm-room friendly. So here’s a toolkit of seven income streams students can realistically start today, with little to no upfront costs.
1. TikTok Shop
If you’ve got a phone and a ring light (seriously, you can get one for under $20), you’re good to go. TikTok Shop is blowing up, and you can ride that wave.
In 2023, TikTok Shop raked in $11.09 billion in sales. By the end of this year, it’s projected to hit $17.5 billion.
How much can you make?
It depends on your products. High-impulse categories like beauty and women’s wear make the most. With the right niche, you can earn hundreds to thousands per month, even more if you land a viral trend.
Time commitment:
- Big goals? Set aside 3 hours a night
- Smaller goals ($100/month)? Just 1 hour/day
Pro tip:
Can’t commit that time? Use TikTok’s affiliate program to have micro-influencers promote your stuff.
How to start:
Download the TikTok Seller Center app, upload your product details, and submit for approval. Done.
2. Paid Focus Groups
Yes, you can get paid just to give your opinion.
Companies run focus groups to improve their products — and they’re willing to pay you up to $250 per session.
How much can you make?
It varies. If you're part of a rare or niche demographic, your opinion is worth more. Think tall people, rare hobbies, or specific locations.
Time commitment:
Usually 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the topic.
Trusted platforms:
⚠️ Watch out for scams. Never pay upfront or give away sensitive info.
3. Modernize "Boring" Businesses
There are thousands of low-key, high-profit businesses run by people who haven’t updated anything since 2004. Think laundromats, storage units, vending machines. Boring? Maybe. Profitable? Absolutely.
How you help:
- Create a website
- Set up online booking
- Automate billing with tools like Odoo
Then, negotiate a profit share. For example, if you boost a laundromat’s profits by $50,000 a year and take a 20% cut — that’s $10,000 in your pocket.
Time commitment:
- Setup: a few hours to a couple of days
- Maintenance: 1–2 hours a week
How to start:
Look for outdated local businesses. Use Odoo or similar tools to improve operations, then pitch your value.
4. Get a Part-Time Job
Look, it’s not glamorous, but it works. Whether it’s flipping burgers or tutoring algebra, it builds character — and cash.
3 Types of part-time work:
- Traditional: McDonald’s pays ~$12.81/hour (according to Indeed)
- Tutoring: Teach what you already know — high schoolers need your help
- Freelancing: Learn a skill (editing, writing, coding), set your rates
Pro tip:
Don’t submit resumes with party pics. Clean it up. Keep it professional.
5. Sell Stuff You Don’t Need
You probably have $100+ worth of stuff sitting in your room right now — old textbooks, clothes, unused tech.
How much can you make?
Check online prices before listing. A textbook can earn back 50% of its original price.
⚠️ Watch shipping costs. Don't be like the girl who sold a dress for $5 and paid $4 to ship it.
Time commitment:
- Listing takes minutes
- Drop-offs are easy with local shipping lockers
Platforms to use:
- eBay
- Vinted
- Facebook Marketplace
Once you run out of your own stuff, offer to sell things for others on commission.
6. Dropshipping
A student classic. You don’t need inventory or storage space — just a Shopify store, a product supplier, and a way to get traffic.
How it works:
- Customer orders from your site
- Supplier ships it directly to them
How much can you make?
Average margins: 20–30%. Sell 100 units of a $50 item at 25% profit? That’s $1,250/month.
Time commitment:
- Setup: Easy with tools like Build Your Store AI
- Focus: Mainly on marketing
Bonus:
Build Your Store AI can get your Shopify store running in under 2 minutes.
7. Voiceover & Language Dubbing
YouTubers and companies are dubbing content into multiple languages — and they need voice talent and project managers to make it happen.
Two ways to make money:
- Voice acting: Average rate is $48.17/hour
- Project management: Connect voice talent with businesses and charge a flat fee or a cut
High-demand languages:
- Hindi
- Portuguese
- Spanish
- Japanese
Where to start:
- Fiverr
- Upwork
Upload voice samples, create a clean profile, and pitch to clients.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a trust fund, fancy equipment, or even loads of free time. Just pick one idea that fits your lifestyle and take action.
If you’re serious about building wealth as a student, these side hustles are your stepping stones. Get started today — even if it’s messy, small, or awkward. That’s how every success story begins.
🚀 Want to learn the laziest way to make money? Check out that video up top.
And hey — hit subscribe if you're serious about growing your income. See you over there!