There are many ways to learn how to make money, some of which can be quite unique, funny, or even a bit embarrassing. A few months ago, I wrote a post about 60+ extreme things people have done to save money, and it included some pretty wild stories like shaving their own heads, taping shoes together, and even dumpster diving.
Since then, more people have shared their stories, which inspired me to write about even more interesting ways to make money. We’ve all probably done something a bit extreme to earn some extra cash at some point.
There are countless ways to make money, whether through part-time jobs, full-time jobs, online gigs, or offline hustles. Learning how to make money can significantly improve your life. For instance, I managed to pay off $38,000 in student loans in just seven months, leave my day job, and travel full-time, all because I learned how to make money effectively.
By sharing our experiences, we can help each other feel less embarrassed about our money-making methods and maybe even discover new ways to earn. Trying out some of these ideas might help you pay off debt faster, improve your financial habits, or reach your dreams sooner.
Here are some interesting ways people have learned to make money, even as kids:
1. **Sell Smelly Shoes Online**: Emma Drew made over $2,500 selling her old shoes on eBay to men who liked them.
2. **Become a Sugar Baby**: Emma Lomas signed up for a sugar daddy website to pay for university.
3. **Sell Your Life**: Ian Usher sold his entire life on eBay, including his car, job, home, and friends.
4. **Start a Blog**: Blogging can be a lucrative way to make money, as I make over $100,000 a month from my blog.
5. **Pose Nude for Art Classes**: Emma Johnson posed nude for drawing classes in college.
6. **Participate in Medical Research**: Medical studies can pay well, with some studies offering around $1,000 for a week’s participation.
7. **Babysit Multiple Kids**: Tahnee Smallwood made $150 in one day by watching five kids under two years old.
8. **Find Trash for Rebates**: Jenn Wilson collected KitKat wrappers to get free phone cards in college.
9. **Get Extra Tips When Pregnant**: Brenda Tolentino received extra tips working as a hostess while visibly pregnant.
10. **Give Massages**: Katrina Howe’s husband offered massages to hotel guests in Peru using a borrowed massage table.
11. **Become a Telemarketer**: Nellie Huang worked a telemarketing job to earn money for travel.
12. **Demonstrate Pet Food**: Maya Lalosh demonstrated pet food in business outfits at pet stores.
13. **Get Paid to Sleep**: NASA pays participants $1,200 per week to stay in bed for 70 days.
14. **Take Online Surveys**: Companies like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie pay for taking surveys.
15. **Deliver Newspapers**: Lindsay VanSomeren and her husband delivered newspapers for extra cash.
16. **Drive for Uber or Lyft**: Becoming a driver can be a flexible way to earn extra money.
17. **Rent Out Your Home**: Stefanie O’Connell rented out her apartment and stayed with friends.
18. **Buy and Return Electronics**: Chris DeMuth, Jr. made money by buying and returning TVs at Circuit City.
19. **Resell on eBay**: Jenny Kerr bought items at yard sales and resold them on eBay.
20. **Mystery Shopping**: Mystery shopping can provide extra income and free meals.
21. **Cuddle with Strangers**: Some people make money by offering cuddling services.
22. **Sell Used Toilets**: Carly Campbell bought and cleaned used toilets to save money on home construction.
23. **Pawn Items**: Julie Powell Pollitt pawned items and sold things from her home on eBay.
24. **Sell Homemade Cookies**: Jon Luskin sold cookies to fundraise for a charity bike ride.
25. **Create Wood Catapult Kits**: Jacob Brad Johnson made money by selling wood catapult kits as a teenager.
26. **Sell Lingerie**: TJ Pridonoff bought and sold lingerie through a dropshipping store.
27. **Sell Your Poop**: OpenBiome pays up to $13,000 a year for healthy poop donations.
28. **Sell Breast Milk**: Breast milk can sell for $1 to $4 per ounce.
29. **Donate Eggs or Sperm**: Egg donations can pay up to $10,000, while sperm donations pay $50 to $100.
30. **Sell Used Bras**: Elizabeth made $10,000 selling used bras on eBay.
31. **Sell Plasma**: Zina Kumok and Kristin Larsen sold plasma for extra cash.
32. **Win Contests**: Gwen won $50 in an inflatable horse race.
33. **Gamble Online**: Jim Wang made money by gambling online in college.
34. **Wrestle for Money**: Martin Dasko earned $50 by participating in a wrestling match.
35. **Make Acne Videos**: Laura Pennington won $250 for a video about her acne experience.
36. **Compete on TV Shows**: Vicky Eves won £2,750 on a UK TV quiz show.
37. **Sell Calendars**: Jason Butler sold calendars in middle school.
38. **Charge for Swings**: Rachel Hernandez charged kids to use the swings at recess.
39. **Sell Textbooks**: Colin bought and resold textbooks for a profit.
40. **Sell Origami**: Anna Lysakowska sold origami animals made from post-it notes.
41. **Sell Candy**: Nick True and Robert Farrington sold candy in school.
42. **Take Exams for Money**: Natalie McKee took a competency exam for a $50 Amazon gift card.
Do any of these extreme ways to make money interest you?