There are countless ways to learn how to make money, and some of them can be unusual, amusing, or even a little embarrassing.
I previously published a post titled “60+ Extreme Things People Have Done To Save Money,” which included a variety of creative and sometimes strange money-saving measures: shaving one’s head, taping shoes together, dumpster diving, and more. Since then, readers have shared even more stories. That inspired me to collect and share additional unconventional ways people earn extra income.
People take extreme steps when money is tight, and there are many paths to earning: part-time jobs, full-time work, online gigs, side hustles, in-person services, and more. Learning how to make money can transform lives. For example, through income-generating initiatives I was able to pay off $38,000 in student loans within seven months, leave my day job to pursue my passions, and travel full-time.
By sharing what we’ve tried, we can normalize creative or awkward money-making strategies and perhaps discover new ideas ourselves. Trying one or several of the methods below could help you pay down debt faster, improve spending and saving habits, or reach long-term goals sooner.
Related tips on ways to earn extra income:
- 12 Work-From-Home Jobs That Can Earn You $1,000+ Each Month
- 75+ Ways To Make Extra Money
- 8 Things To Sell To Make Extra Money
- 30+ Ways To Save Money Each Month
- The $20 Savings Challenge
- 80 Ways To Make Money On The Side
Here are 43 interesting ways to make money.
Unconventional ways people learn to earn, save, and compete for cash—even as kids.
Sell your smelly shoes online. One person reported selling worn shoes on eBay to buyers who were willing to pay extra for photos and custom listings. Over time this small niche side hustle earned several thousand dollars.
Become a sugar baby. Some have turned to sugar-dating platforms to earn money while attending university or covering living expenses. Experiences vary widely; some offers are lucrative, others awkward. This approach carries emotional and safety considerations and is not a decision to take lightly.
“Sell” your life. In extraordinary examples, people have sold entire aspects of their lives—homes, possessions, even the direction of daily decisions—through auctions or unique investment-like arrangements. These are rare, headline-grabbing cases rather than typical income strategies.
Start a blog. Blogging has become a legitimate way to generate online income through advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and product sales. Many creators earn full-time incomes this way; building a successful blog takes time, consistent content, and audience-building.
Pose for an art class. Some students and young adults have earned money by modeling—sometimes involving nude figure drawing classes. It’s an honest way to earn extra cash and often pays per session.
Participate in medical research studies. Clinical and university research studies often pay participants. Compensation depends on study length, risk, and requirements—some trials pay substantial amounts for a week-long commitment. Local research centers, universities, and classified ads can be sources for paid study opportunities.
Watch multiple young children at once. Babysitting several children—especially for busy parents or during peak times—can pay well. Some caregivers have made significant money by offering in-home childcare for multiple kids simultaneously.
Collect product UPCs or rebates from trash. Rescuing product packaging with valid UPC codes or rebate proofs has historically been a way some people earned free products or phone time. These tactics depend on current promotions and terms.
Earn extra tips while pregnant. Some pregnant workers reported unexpectedly generous tips from sympathetic customers while working low-stress service jobs—an example of how circumstance and empathy can translate into short-term earnings.
Avoid getting investing tips from unreliable sources. A few readers shared how taking stock tips from entertainers or casual acquaintances led to small losses—an important reminder to research investments and avoid risky advice.
Offer mobile massages while traveling. Traveling couples have earned income by offering massages to hotel guests, carrying a portable table and handing out flyers—an adaptable service-based side hustle for those with skills.
Work as a telemarketer. Telemarketing temp jobs can provide short-term income but are often stressful due to difficult customer interactions and high rejection rates.
Demo pet food or retail products. Short-term promotional gigs, like product demonstrations in stores, provide flexible hours but can involve long periods of standing and strict appearance requirements.
Get paid to sleep for research. Some sleep and confinement studies pay thousands for long-duration participation. For example, long-term bed-rest studies can pay substantial weekly rates, though they demand extreme patience and lifestyle restrictions.
Take online surveys. Survey sites can earn modest extra income—often between $25 and $100+ per month if you sign up with multiple reputable platforms. These are low-barrier ways to make a bit of extra cash in spare time.
Call in sick and deliver newspapers. A creative anecdote involved using an unexpected day off to deliver newspapers for quick pay. It’s an example of finding opportunistic short-term work.
Drive for ride-share services. Becoming an Uber or Lyft driver allows flexible hours and can be a solid side income depending on location, demand, and vehicle upkeep.
Rent out your home and crash with friends. Subletting or listing a primary residence on short-term rental platforms can cover rent or mortgage costs temporarily—many use this strategy when relocating or traveling.
Exploit price protection or return guarantees. Some shoppers have profited in rare cases by purchasing items with price protection or return policies and timing refunds strategically. These tactics depend on retailer policies and ethical considerations.
Resell items, attend focus groups, and coupon aggressively. Buying items at yard sales or clearance and reselling online, participating in paid focus groups, and using extreme couponing can all produce meaningful side income when done consistently.
Become a mystery shopper. Mystery shopping pays for visits to stores or restaurants and often reimburses purchases plus a small fee. Choose reputable companies to avoid scams.
Offer professional cuddling services. Some businesses connect clients and trained cuddlers for paid companionship sessions. This is a niche service industry with varying demand.
Source used building materials or free shoes. During tight budgets, some people save by buying secondhand fixtures or salvaging usable items—an economical approach when safety and sanitation are addressed.
Pawn items, grow food, and sell household goods. Short-term liquidity can come from pawning valuables, growing produce to reduce grocery bills, or holding garage sales and online listings for unwanted items.
Fundraise or sell homemade goods. Selling baked goods, like cookies at events, or homemade products for fundraisers can meet fundraising goals quickly when targeting the right audience.
Create and sell handcrafted products. Teen entrepreneurs have created products like wooden kits, origami, or small crafts and sold them with great success—proving that a niche product plus persistence can yield significant earnings.
Buy and resell niche goods. Buying discounted or bulk goods (lingerie, used clothing, used bras, candy packs, textbooks) and reselling them for a markup has long been a reliable micro-business model for resourceful sellers.
Donate biological samples for compensation. Donating plasma, eggs, sperm, breast milk, or stool samples can pay well in regulated programs. Compensation varies widely, and medical screening and ethical considerations are important. Some programs require frequent donations and careful monitoring of donor health.
Enter contests, shows, or local competitions. Winning prize money—including TV quiz shows, local fundraisers, or quirky contests—has helped some people pay down debt or cover large expenses.
Take paid exams or competency tests. Occasionally, institutions offer incentives such as gift cards to encourage participation in exams or surveys. If the reward outweighs the time spent, it can be a worthwhile short-term income source.
Monetize a unique talent or idea early in life. Kids and teens have found ways to monetize playground popularity—charging a small fee for swing time, selling sought-after pencils, or reselling cafeteria favorites. Early entrepreneurship builds skills and can generate small profits.
Which of these methods appeals to you? Many of these ideas are situational, and not every approach fits everyone. Consider your comfort level, local regulations, and health and safety implications before trying anything new. If you’re ready to experiment, start small, research thoroughly, and choose options that align with your values and long-term goals.