How I Made $200 Shoveling Snow (Avoid My Mistakes to Earn More)

❄️ Verified Hustle Summary

• Tested By: Saeed Darabi (MoneyPantry CEO)
• Location: St. Louis, MO (Ice & Snow Mix)
• Earnings Potential: $50 – $75 per hour
• Difficulty: Hard (High physical effort)
• Startup Cost: ~$40 (Shovel + Gloves)
• Verdict: The fastest way to get same-day cash in winter.

I don’t shovel for money anymore, but the hustle works even better today.

If I were starting over in 2026, I wouldn’t waste time making the rookie mistakes I made back then.

Here is your “Field Manual” for maximizing profit while minimizing back pain.

What You Need for Shoveling Snow

You cannot use the plastic shovel sitting in your garage.

I tried that. My first gig in St. Louis involved 3 inches of ice.

The cheap plastic blade snapped within 10 minutes, and I had to abandon the job to drive to Home Depot.

The Pro Kit ($45 Total):

1. Metal-Edged Pusher Shovel ($30): Get the one with the “Bent Handle” (Ergonomic). It allows you to push snow like a plow rather than lifting it. Your lower back will thank you.
2. Carhartt/Insulated Gloves ($15): Cold fingers end your workday. I bought mine used at a thrift store; just make sure they are waterproof.
3. Bag of Calcium Chloride (Optional): Regular rock salt stops working at 15°F. Calcium chloride melts ice instantly and lets you offer a premium service.

How Much to Charge for Shoveling Snow?

Most people underprice themselves. They ask for $20. Do not do this.

Shoveling is “Surge Pricing” economy. When the storm hits, demand is infinite and supply (people willing to work) is low.

Here is exactly what you should charge:

How to Get Clients Today

Back when I (and many of the older generations) did this, you had to walk in the blizzard knocking on doors.

These days, you can do it the smart way.

Option 1: The Nextdoor Pre-Sell (My Top Pick)

I always recommend starting with the Nextdoor App. It’s where homeowners actively look for local help.

24 hours before the storm hits, post this specific message:

“Hi neighbors! I live on [Street Name]. I’m gearing up for the snow tomorrow. I have my heavy-duty gear ready and I have 3 slots left for driveway clearing in the morning. Message me to lock one in. $50 flat rate.“

By using “Scarcity” (3 slots left) and “Proximity” (I live on your street), you will likely book your day before a single flake falls.

Option 2: The “Lazy” Way (Shovler App)

If the idea of posting on Nextdoor feels too much like “sales” to you, there’s an app called Shovler (often called the Uber for Snow Removal).

I downloaded it to test the St. Louis market. It connects you with people who need digging out instantly. You don’t have to talk to anyone; you just accept the gig, do the work, send a photo, and get paid.

The Catch: They take a cut (usually around 20%). So on a $50 job, you might only keep $40.

My Verdict: Use Shovler as a backup. Fill your schedule with full-price Nextdoor clients first. Then, if you still have energy and need an extra $40, turn on the app to pick up the leftovers.

Saeed’s MoneyPantry Recurring Revenue Hack

I know everybody is tired of the subscription model for everything.

“This ain’t Netflix, it’s just shoveling snow,” right?

But hear me out…

You’ll make way more money with a lot less headache if you use what I call The Snow‑Day Subscription Method.

After you’ve done a great job for someone, tell them: “For $200, I will automatically come every time it snows more than 2 inches this month.”

Now you have guaranteed recurring revenue without chasing new gigs every storm.

Pro tip:

Know your local rules. For example, in St. Louis County, different municipalities (like Kirkwood) have 24-hour clearance ordinances, while others don’t. Using this knowledge helps you sell your service: “I can help you avoid that city fine.”

Shovel or Snow Blower?

Do you choose the shovel or the snow blower?

My humble opinion is that if there is a snow blower, don’t waste it! It allows you to do more with less time and you need less manpower as a result.

The only shortcoming is you need gasoline to continuously power the snow blower.

A shovel is a more or less proven tool for its purpose in the long run.

It helps also that shovel is cheap, portable, and very durable without any maintenance, which is a necessary feature of a snow blower as the weather turns warm.

Instead, you just get the shovel out during winter and once you are done with whatever you need it for, it goes right back to the garage, waiting to be of service again next winter. No special care and no maintenance are needed.

Wouldn’t it be great to have a money-making tool that is always at your disposal and one that does not cost you a single maintenance dollar!

Avoid The “Grass Trap” (My Horror Story)

One specific nightmare I had: I spent an hour shoveling a driveway for an elderly lady. I did a perfect job on the asphalt.

When I knocked to get paid, she refused. She thought “Shoveling” meant I was going to clear the snow off her lawn so she could see the grass.

I walked away unpaid because I was too stunned to argue.

The Lesson: Define the scope.

Say, “I clear the pavement and the walkway. I do not clear the yard or the roof.”

Safety & Limits

Shoveling is harder than it looks. The American Heart Association recently warned that the exertion of shoveling cold snow is a leading trigger for cardiac events in winter.

Since I worked construction, I was used to heavy lifting, but even I took breaks every 20 minutes.

Rule of Thumb: If the snow is deeper than 6 inches, do it in two passes. Skim the top half, then go back for the bottom. Lifting 6+ inches of wet snow at once is a recipe for a slipped disc.

Also, there is a right and wrong way to shovel. Always shovel from top to bottom. It uses gravity to help you moving the snow. If you start at the bottom, you are fighting physics.

Disclaimer: Be careful with ice. If you do a bad job and someone slips, they might blame you. Always communicate clearly: “I am clearing the snow, but I cannot guarantee the ground is ice-free.”

So How Much Money Can You Make Shoveling Snow

Before you start knocking on doors or using apps, it helps to know what you can realistically earn in your area.

I built this simple tool to help you estimate your monthly and seasonal income based on your prices and how often it snows where you live.

This isn’t a generic calculator, it’s based on real numbers I have analyzed on Redid, social media and local people who shovel snow every winter.

Use it to plan your pricing, set goals, and see how much you can make before the next storm hits.

Why Snow Shoveling is Still the Best Cash Hustle in 2026

Forget AI side hustles or taking 50-cent surveys. When a snowstorm hits, people get desperate.

They need to get their cars out to go to work, and they will pay a premium for speed.

This is one of the few side gigs where you can go from “Zero” to “Cash in Hand” in under 60 minutes. There is no signup approval process. There is no waiting for a deposit.

But to make it worth your time, you need to stop treating it like a “chore” and start treating it like a specialized service.

FAQ: Common Shoveling Questions

Bottom Line: Is Shoveling Snow for Money Worth It?

If you are broke in the winter, shoveling is the one of the fastest way to put $100+ in your pocket same-day.

Just get the bent-handle shovel, charge at least $50, and please make sure they know you aren’t shoveling the grass.