Making money is not a static process; there are always new and innovative ways to make ends meet. Whether you’re looking to make a little extra money on the side or are searching for an additional source of income, the key is to think unconventionally.
Traditional methods of making money, such as getting a second job, aren’t the only options. In fact, with the right resources, it’s possible to make money without ever leaving the comfort of your own home.
Today, technology has opened up many opportunities for unconventional money-making ideas that can help you earn a decent income.
From participating in online surveys to renting out spare rooms in your house, there’s no limit to the potential for earning money with alternative methods.
Ready to venture out of your comfort zone and explore new income opportunities? Here are 7 unconventional money-making ideas you need to try.
Monetize Your Plasma
No longer can you make money from selling your blood, but plasma can fetch you up to $300 a month. Plasma is a yellowish liquid that contains cells and proteins and is part of the overall composition of our blood.
Companies use it to produce products that aid those with issues related to blood clotting and other illnesses.
Extracting plasma is a more involved process than removing whole blood, and can take up to 90 minutes of your time. In return, you can often make between $20 and $50 per donation.
So, your effort is rewarded with cold, hard cash.
Sell Your Hair
You may be amazed to discover that there is a massive demand for human hair. People use it to create wigs and hair extensions, and you can make a good amount of money selling it.
Just ask the woman who sold her long blonde locks for a grand! Hair extensions are all the rage nowadays, so if you’ve got lovely, lengthy hair, you can make a decent profit.
Websites exist to match those who are looking to buy hair with those who are looking to sell. Rates can range from $20 up to $2,000, depending on the texture and length.
If you’re seriously considering this, check out buyandsellhair.com. However, your hair must meet certain criteria.
License Cute Videos of Your Pets
If you are looking for ways to make money with videos, consider two options. You can watch videos for which companies pay you, or you can license your videos.
Have you ever made videos and thought they could be perfect for YouTube? You can sell those videos online, and all you need is a good-quality camera.
Although it may be surprising, you can make money with cute videos of your pets. Gather the footage and then license it to people who desire to share the content on their sites.
So, laugh back at your friends who once laughed at you for having lots of pet videos on your phone – now you can make a profit from them!
Video content is trending, as users spend 88% more time on a website that has video, as compared to text.
Furthermore, the age-old phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” could not be more true in today’s digital environment.
Although the videos must not be overly-professional or slick to go viral, if you have some with potential, submit them to sites such as Jukin Media where you can sell them for extra cash.
Use Your Bicycle as a Moving Van
It’s quite amazing to think that it’s possible to move an entire household on a bicycle!
Portlandia even referenced this in one of their episodes, making it funny and exciting to think about.
According to records, bicycles can carry up to 10 times their weight. This means that an 80-pound bike could potentially carry 800 pounds. It’s unlikely that any other mode of transport could do this with such success.
Additionally, bikes require much less upkeep than moving trucks, which is another advantage.
Many bike trailers exist, but most of them are typically used for smaller items, and cannot hold more than 100 pounds.
If you’re looking to start a moving business, Bikes at Work make cargo trailers specifically designed for heavy-duty moves.
Get Paid for Your Sperm
Although it can be financially rewarding, becoming a sperm donor is not easy.
The donor requirements are very stringent, and only a few applicants qualify.
To be considered, you must be between the ages of 18 and 40. Before your sperm donation is accepted, you must complete a series of tests that can take up to three weeks to finish.
If you pass the screening, you’ll be required to donate 6-10 sperm samples per month.
Many sperm banks offer up to $1,000 per month for donors; $50 for the donation and $20 for the release of the sample.
Try Your Hand at Professional Cuddling
If you are someone with compassion to spare, consider becoming a professional cuddler!
This type of work requires the acceptance of all individuals regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation.
Being a successful cuddler also requires excellent interpersonal skills. Professional cuddling is becoming more and more popular, due to its success in cities like New York, London, Tokyo, and more.
Some cuddlers make up to $360 a day! If cuddling isn’t your thing, that’s understandable.
But if you are comfortable with it, why not set up your own cuddling business and help all the lonely people out there?
Sell Your Used Underwear
Most of us have something we find interesting or appealing, and some of those interests can be quite unusual.
If you watched the show Orange Is the New Black, you know that there is a market for previously worn underwear. Indeed, in Japan, the sale of used underwear is especially popular.
It may be a bit off-putting, but it is also a great way to make some money! And it’s not just underwear you can sell; other worn apparel items, such as pantyhose, socks, and bras, are all in demand as well.
Check out a few different websites to see what items are selling the best.
Websites to look at for selling used underwear include:
Use a Metal Detector on the Beach
[Updated Content]: Are you a fan of treasure hunting? Unleash the inner Indiana Jones in you by beach metal detecting, a fun and lucrative way of earning money!
Just grab a metal detector for about $140 and head to popular beaches for the chance to find lost coins, jewelry, and other lost valuables.
You can even offer your metal detecting services to help people locate misplaced car keys.
Who knows, some beaches may even have rare ancient coins due to shipwrecks from centuries before!
Be a Professional Competitive Eater
Did you know that you can make money through competitive eating? Joey Chestnut, for example, has a net worth of $2 Million according to Celebrity Net Worth.
However, it takes a lot of dedication and training to become as successful as Chestnut; stretching and pushing your body to extreme limits can have lifelong consequences.
While I love hotdogs, I don’t think I could eat 74 of them in 10 minutes!
Sell Photographs of Your Feet
It may come as a surprise, but there is a sizeable market for feet photographs.
Aside from individuals who have foot fetishes, bloggers, marketers, and other businesses may require stock photos of feet to help promote their content or goods!
Although earning money through selling feet images may not be a get-rich-quick scheme, it has the potential to be a very profitable side hustle or even a full-fledged business.
Do Something Unique on Onlyfans
With Onlyfans, the possibilities are truly endless. It is a platform that not only allows you to share explicit content but also provides a unique opportunity to monetize any kind of talent or skill that you may have.
You can find people creating content from teaching virtual classes, tutorials, and dance lessons, to more out-of-the-box channels like an Australian woman who has a channel of her just farting.
No matter the content, users can make money by gaining followers who pay a monthly subscription or by offering exclusive content to those willing to pay.
Although they take a 20% cut of any income earned, it is still an incredible way to make an income or supplement your existing income.
Sell Your Holiday Snapshots
Turn your holiday photos into a money-making opportunity! With businesses always wanting fresh, interesting images for their projects, you could be just the person to provide them.
You don’t need to consider yourself a professional photographer to get started; simply taking clear, well-lit pictures is key.
There are numerous stock image companies to that you can submit your digital photos, and you’ll earn a royalty every time anybody purchases one of your shots. Best of all, you get to pick the subject matter!
Sell Your Breast Milk
Given the recent baby formula shortage, more families are turning to breast milk to ensure their little ones get the nutrition they need.
Only the breast is an online classified forum and community for moms who are looking to sell breast milk.
Prices start at $1 an ounce, so if you have an abundance of milk, consider donating or selling it.
If you’re interested in learning more about the process, we have a comprehensive guide available on our website.
Get the resources you need to provide for your baby and your family.
Get Paid to Stand in Line
As they say, time is valuable. Don’t spend yours standing in long lines at the DMV or post office.
Make use of one of the peculiar methods of earning money and take up a position in a physical or virtual queue.
TaskRabbit is a great way to find fleeting jobs, such as assembling furniture or putting up the artwork.
Become a Professional Weight Loser
You can win big by ending your competitive eating career and using Healthy Wage to help you lose a few pounds.
With Healthy Wage, the size of the prize money you could potentially win depends on how much you bet and your personal data.
The maximum prize for successful weight loss is currently set at $10,000.
Healthy Wage also understands that some people may have a harder time losing weight, which is why they offer bigger prizes for these individuals.
Become a Beekeeper
If beekeeping doesn’t make you break out in hives, it can make for a great side gig.
Hobbyists who embrace the buzz of honeybees can get started with the help of The Honey Bee Society.
This organization provides advice on how to tend to a hive, plus materials that are essential for an amateur beekeeper’s success.
With their help, you can become a backyard beekeeper and get a sweet taste of this line of work.
Collect Dog Poop
No one is particularly eager to do the job, yet there are many businesses that will come to people’s homes to clean up after their pets.
If you’re hesitant to start your own business, Doody Calls is currently hiring.
Sell Your Coffee Mugs
Have you ever thought of making some extra cash by saving your vintage coffee cups from the trash heap?
Several experts have said that some of these vintage mugs have high demand, and could bring in quite a bit of money, with some Disney World mugs fetching up to $50 or more.
Collectors may even be willing to pay over $250 for the most sought-after mugs. So, if you have some cupboards with vintage mugs, it might be worth taking a look!
Get Paid to Cry
According to Wikipedia, professional mourning is mostly a thing of the past.
However, Rent a Mourner in the U.K. offers services of providing “professional, discreet people to attend funerals and wakes,” which is still a popular practice in numerous parts of the world. Thus, it may be time to start collecting financial rewards from this occupation.
Play Bingo on Your Phone for Real Money up to $83 Per Win
You could make some extra cash simply by playing games on your phone. Bingo Cash is a free iPhone app that allows you to do just that.
The game uses the classic Bingo format and you’ll play against other players of your own skill level. All players have the same board and see the same Bingo balls.
If you win, you could earn anywhere from $1-$83! Plus, you don’t have to worry about hidden fees or annoying ads.
You can play for free or join higher-stakes tournaments for a fee. Download the app and get started now. You could win money today!
Be a Virtual Babysitter
Yes, parents are willing to pay for their children to be entertained online with puppets.
The Virtual Babysitters Club offers an array of virtual performers – from juggling to trivia games – for both one-on-one sessions and parties.
The standard rate for online babysitting is around $15 per hour, with special skills commanding higher pay.
If you are interested in becoming a virtual babysitter, Indeed offers a comprehensive guide on the necessary skills and how to get started.
Write Online Dating Profiles
The popularity of online dating is at an all-time high. Millions of people are swiping and striving to make an ideal connection. As a result, there is a lot of competition for potential partners.
Crafting the perfect profile is critical to stand out in the crowded field. This requires the ability to compose great photos, as well as captivating text.
But for those with a keen eye for detail and a knack for words, this offers an exciting enterprise opportunity.
Open up a consulting service and help singles create magnetic profiles. Popular sites such as e-Cyrano and Fiverr are great resources to advertise your business.
With a little luck, you could turn this into a full-time career and show Cyrano de Bergerac how it’s done.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a lot of unconventional ways to make money.
Whether you’re looking for extra income or something more permanent, we’ve rounded up some of the best ideas that won’t require a major risk.
We hope this article provided you with enough motivation and creativity to get started today!
