Sometimes the regular 9–5 jobs can be a boring way to make a living. Of course, society may have programmed our minds to think we must be employed by some company in order to earn an income and be successful. However, if you’re ready to think outside the box and do something unconventional, you’ll start exploring unusual ways to make money (legally).
The interesting thing about trying weird ways to make money is that you could potentially uncover an amazing business idea that would end up becoming quite lucrative. You may even forget about your current employment.
As you go on to read this post, you will learn numerous money-making ideas that most people would consider weird. Let’s check them out.
21 Weird Ways To Make Money
Would you still stick to your main job if you found an alternative that is more profitable and exciting? Here are some odd ways to make money today:
1. Sell Jellyfish
Do you know anyone who owns jellyfish as a pet? Although it seems weird, some people have an aquarium with jellyfish in it.
Since jellyfish aquariums are becoming commonplace in eateries and companies, you might want to venture into this business.
Mind you, the average jellyfish only lives for around six months, so there is always a demand for more. As a jellyfish supplier, you’ll be in great demand.
2. Become A Professional Eater
Eating contests are probably something you’ve heard of and maybe even seen on TV or in the news. However, did you realize that becoming a professional eater is one of the weird ways to make money?
When you participate in these eating competitions and end up winning, you will receive a sizable reward package. Several professional eaters have actually won more than $100,000.
However, even though making a living off of food may sound enjoyable, competitive eating requires a lot of work and training, so this “sport” shouldn’t be taken on lightly.
3. Work As A Lice Removal Technician
If you reside in a dry climate, you may not understand how this can be turned into a source of income. However, if you reside in more humid regions of the country, lice is an issue that you have probably seen at least once in your lifetime.
The small insects known as head louse or lice can hide on your scalp and feed on blood. They are most commonly detected in youngsters and are transferred from person to person by sharing headwear, hair brushes, or clothing.
Apparently, nobody wants lice feeding on them. This creates an opportunity for you to become a lice removal technician, as it’s one of the weird ways to earn money.
4. Become A Sperm Or Egg Donor
Although being a sperm or egg donor is sometimes not taken seriously, the reality is that these donors enable individuals who otherwise might not be able to conceive and start a family.
But it’s not as simple as it seems. Donors of sperm or eggs must fulfill a number of requirements and undergo a rigorous screening process. Ideally, sperm donors must be at least 18 years old, and at most, can’t be more than 40 years old.
Also, here are some other prerequisites involved in the screening process:
- Physical exam
- Semen or egg testing
- Genetic testing
- Psychological evaluation
- Family medical history
- S#xual history
- Nonsmoker and no dr#g use
As long as you meet the above requirements, you are eligible to donate. Men can make up to $150 for each sperm donation, while women can earn between $5,000 and $10,000 per egg donation cycle.
5. Get Paid To Test Ice Cream
Working as a professional ice cream tester is one of the weird ways to make money. John Harrison, for example, is a professional ice cream tester for Dreyer’s who samples around 60 ice cream packages a day.
However, there’s more to this career than just eating ice cream. Tasters are required to examine the ice cream based on different factors, including appearance, flavor, texture, smell, and consistency. Also, bear in mind that you don’t consume a significant portion of the ice cream—just a sample.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2019, the average ice cream taster made $63,000 annually.
6. Become A Hangover Helper
If you live in a college town, this is a smart business idea you might want to take seriously.
College towns are probably where you’ll find the biggest demand for hangover helper services. Anyone throwing a party might hire you. So, you can decide to create your own company, promoting your hangover helper service to students or young people who like to party.
7. Sell Coffee Mugs
There is a sizable online market for collectible coffee cups since many people collect coffee mugs.
Generally available for a few dollars at garage sales and thrift stores, collectible mugs can sell for anywhere from $30 to $50.
If you regularly shop at garage sales, you may want to start looking for vintage or famous person and event mugs. You can determine if the mug is of good value by doing a quick search on eBay, which will likely help you find a fair price.
8. Become A Professional Sleeper
Businesses invest a lot of money in market research to make sure the general public will find their product efficient and appealing, and the sleep industry is no exception.
As a result, there are numerous chances to test out different sleep-related products, including pillows, blankets, mattresses, and other related items. It’s one of the weird ways to make money.
On the other hand, you can find opportunities to take part in different sleep studies. Sleep study participants can earn up to $1,200 per gig.
Want to become a professional sleeper? Get started here!
9. Sell Rocks
I still haven’t forgotten about the pet rock craze in the 1970s.
Pet rocks, which were really just rocks advertised as living pets, were a collectible toy created in 1975. The boulders were sent in cardboard boxes with air holes, and they were from Mexico’s Rosarito Beach.
Even the trend didn’t last for a long time, businessman Gary Dahl made a fortune selling millions of pet rocks. But guess what? Pet rocks are becoming popular with this new generation, and they are being sold on Amazon.
You can tap into this business opportunity now to earn some money.
10. Sell Used Underwear
Just thinking about this might make you wonder if it’s even a reasonable idea in the first place. But for some reason, there’s a market for worn underwear.
Your used underwear can be put up for sale on websites like Pantydeal. Just sign up and create a free account to get started. You won’t be wrong if you call this one of the weird ways to make money online.
11. Sell Empty Boxes
There is a growing need for boxes and other shipping packaging items due to the increase in the sale of secondhand goods online.
Tech boxes are particularly in demand so that old goods can be transported or gifted in the box that they would have typically come in when they were new.
The amount you can earn doing this will depend on how much demand there is for that specific box or bag. But it’s definitely better than ditching your empty boxes without getting anything in return.
12. Sell Your College Class Notes
If you take notes in your classes as a college student, you can sell them to help pay off some educational expenses.
One interesting thing about college life is that many students are willing to pay for someone else’s class notes, whether it’s because the student is unable to attend certain sessions or because of a condition that makes it difficult for them to take effective notes. You can make a reasonable amount of money from this.
Many institutions offer note-taking jobs to assist students who are impaired.
13. Sell Your Poop
Healthy feces are in high demand and are used to treat a variety of disorders connected to the gut microbiome. This is becoming common due to a medical procedure known as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
Some stool banks will pay you for your samples, but many just accept contributions. OpenBiome in Boston, MA is the greatest choice; they will reimburse donors up to $40 for each sample. The European Taymount Clinic is another option.
Bear in mind that even though it might seem simple, stool donation requires a very selective process. Only 2% of potential donors are accepted. But you may earn up to $13,000 a year for simply passing feces if you’re selected. It’s one of the weirdest ways to make money.
14. Be A Snake Milker
This is obviously not going to appeal to everyone. But if you are passionate about snakes and know how to handle them, you can decide to become a snake milker and earn money.
Snake venom is highly sought after and essential for the production of antivenom and other life-saving drugs. In reality, the average snake milker earns $2,500 each month, and one gram of some snake venom can get you as much as $2,000 if sold.
However, when working with venomous snakes, you must understand the regulations guiding this profession. Also, adopt appropriate safety measures by wearing protective gear and keeping antivenom close at hand.
15. Sell Your Hair
If you’re blessed with long, healthy hair, you might want to consider selling it. It’s one of the weird ways to make money.
There’s no denying that wigs and hair extensions are in high demand. But even though some customers buy them just for fashion, a good number of medical patients actually need high-quality wigs.
The amount of money you make selling your hair will depend on a host of factors, such as the length, color, thickness, or whether or not the hair has been treated or relaxed.
16. Be A Pooper Scooper
Whether they are indoors or out in the park, dogs sometimes have to relieve themselves. Dog poop scooping services have a substantial market, and many people have successfully launched their own companies in this field. It’s one of the weird ways to make money.
That is just what a dog pooper scooper does, as the name implies. When you visit your clients’ houses, you collect and properly dispose of any dog poop that may be in their apartments or yards.
As soon as you venture into this, you can advertise your business on Facebook groups or Craigslist. Provided your rate is reasonable, you’ll find your first client in no time.
17. Play Video Games
Playing competitive video games is one of the weird ways to make money from home.
You may have heard of Dota 2, Counter-Strike, and Fortnite. These are just a few of the video games that have tournament prize money. You simply join a tournament to compete for the ultimate prize.
Creating a YouTube channel and uploading footage of your gaming is another way to monetize your video gaming activities. Just by playing popular games like Minecraft and sharing their gameplay tips and tactics, a lot of people are earning a significant amount of money as YouTube creators (the video game niche).
Want to make money playing video games? Get started here!
18. Flip RVs And Campers
Housing costs is becoming a problem. This is compelling more and more people choose to invest in more flexible and reasonably priced housing options, which has popularized mobile living.
If you have the ability to convert or restore RVs and other vehicles, you may earn a significant income as tiny homes and conversion projects gain popularity. It’s one of the weird ways to make money.
This is a booming industry that is ripe for the picking. You can purchase an old RV, bus, van, or other vehicle and repair or customize it for customers.
19. Rent Yourself As A Friend
Do you consider yourself a good friend? Do you enjoy hanging out with someone? You can make money from this by renting yourself as a friend.
It definitely looks strange, but here’s the thing. A lot of people need someone to spend time with—to talk, have fun, and just catch up. They then visit certain websites where they can pay someone to go on a date with them. If you’re registered as a member on such websites, you have yourself an opportunity to make money.
On the other hand, when tourists visit a new city, they often need someone to help them find their way around town. You can offer to work as a tour guide. It’s like being someone’s casual friend.
Want to get paid to go on dates? Get started here!
20. Get Paid To Test Cond#ms
Just like most manufacturers, companies producing cond#ms usually have to test their products. This creates one of the weird easy ways to make money.
For example, a few years ago, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation sponsored the recruitment of couples to test innovative cond#m designs. Their goal was to make the best cond#m that couples would love to use all the time, thereby reducing the spread of STDs and preventing unwanted pregnancies.
21. Sell Breast Milk
As a nursing mom, if you are producing more breast milk than your child needs, you can sell the excess fluid. As much as you’ll get paid to donate your breast milk, understand that you are helping many mothers who are unable to provide this necessity for their babies.
To get started, you can run an advertisement on Only the Breast—a website like Craigslist where nursing moms can sell their milk. Mind you, since breast milk varies according to the length of time since birth, these advertisements are categorized according to the baby’s age.
Final Thoughts On Weird Ways To Make Money
Various weird ways to make money have already been discussed here. Hopefully, this list will help you find the perfect money-making opportunity you’ve been looking for.
Notwithstanding, it’s important to understand that you have to sometimes apply creativity and a bit of uniqueness to make money from a weird business idea. You can choose to do things differently, unlike most people.
Find an unusual way to increase your income today and give it a shot!
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