Shoestring Startups 24 businesses you can start for $3,000 or less.

Ready to be your own boss? There are hundreds of businesses you can start in your spare time with an initial investment of less than $3,000. Once your business gets going, you can keep it small and part time, or you can expand and go full time. Here are some of today's hottest low-cost opportunities.

Because so many people have computers at home, our estimated start-up costs do not include the cost of a computer. If you need to purchase one, your initial costs will be higher. (Check out last month's "Wise Buys" column for six computers you can buy for less than $1,000.)