21 Most Weird Ways To Make Money

Picture this: your coworker just told you they earned $800 last month doing something so bizarre it made your head spin.

Weird ways to make money exist everywhere, but most people never discover them because they stick to traditional thinking.

I’ll never forget when my neighbor Sarah mentioned she made $200 weekly selling something I never imagined had value.

That conversation opened my eyes to opportunities hiding in plain sight. The most successful unconventional earners think differently about what people will pay for.

Unusual income streams often prove more profitable than traditional side hustles because they face less competition and serve desperate market needs.

Ready to explore money-making ideas that sound crazy but actually work?

21 Weird Ways To Make Money

Traditional jobs follow predictable patterns, but these unconventional opportunities tap into unique market demands that most people overlook or dismiss as too strange to pursue.

1. Sell Jellyfish

Jellyfish farming provides a fascinating niche business serving restaurants, research facilities, and aquarium enthusiasts who need these exotic creatures for various purposes.

Market demand comes from high-end restaurants featuring jellyfish dishes, marine biology research centers studying these creatures, and wealthy individuals creating unique home aquariums.

Getting started with jellyfish farming requires specialized tanks, proper filtration systems, and a good understanding of the jellyfish lifecycle.

Since these creatures have relatively short lifespans, there’s a constant need for replacements, which creates steady income opportunities.

One of the biggest attractions of this business is the profit margin. Because jellyfish reproduce quickly and need very little food compared to fish or livestock, farmers can see returns of 200–400%.

What really gives you an edge here is knowledge.

While many people shy away from jellyfish, those who understand their biology and care needs can tap into a niche market.

For example, an aquarium supplier might pay a premium for a reliable source of healthy jellyfish, turning what seems like a strange venture into a highly profitable one.

2. Become A Professional Eater

Competitive eating transforms your appetite into athletic performance, with top competitors earning six-figure incomes through contest winnings and sponsorship deals.

Training regimens involve stretching stomach capacity, practicing eating techniques, and maintaining physical fitness despite consuming massive quantities quickly.

Prize structures vary from local contests offering $500-2,000 to national championships paying $10,000-40,000 for first place winners.

Sponsorship opportunities emerge as you build recognition. Food brands pay successful eaters to represent their products and appear in promotional content.

Health considerations require medical monitoring and balanced nutrition between competitions. Professional guidance helps maintain safety while maximizing performance potential.

3. Work As A Lice Removal Technician

Lice treatment services address embarrassing problems parents desperately want solved quickly and privately, creating steady demand for professional technicians.

Service pricing typically ranges from $75-150 per treatment session, with many clients requiring multiple visits for complete elimination.

Equipment needs include specialized combs, magnifying glasses, treatment products, and sterilization equipment. Initial investment stays under $500 for most setups.

Certification programs through organizations like the National Association of Lice Treatment Professionals enhance credibility and justify premium pricing.

Repeat customers result from reinfestation or multiple family members needing treatment.

Referral networks with schools and pediatricians provide steady client flow.

4. Become A Sperm Or Egg Donor

Reproductive donation helps couples achieve parenthood while providing significant compensation for qualified donors meeting strict medical and psychological criteria.

Sperm donation requires men aged 18-40 who pass comprehensive screening including genetic testing, psychological evaluation, and regular health monitoring.

Egg donation involves women aged 21-30 undergoing extensive medical evaluation, hormone treatments, and surgical procedures for compensation ranging from $5,000-10,000 per cycle.

Screening requirements eliminate most applicants, but qualified donors enjoy steady income for helping build families while contributing to medical research.

Time commitments vary significantly between sperm donation (quick visits) and egg donation (weeks of appointments and monitoring).

5. Get Paid To Test Ice Cream

Food testing careers combine sensory evaluation skills with steady employment at major food manufacturers developing new products and maintaining quality standards.

Professional requirements include trained palates, objective evaluation abilities, and understanding of flavor profiles, textures, and consumer preferences.

Salary expectations range from $30,000-65,000 annually for full-time positions with benefits and opportunities for advancement in product development roles.

Training programs teach systematic tasting techniques, flavor identification, and objective scoring systems used in professional food evaluation.

Career advancement leads to product development management, quality assurance supervision, or consulting roles within the food industry.

6. Become A Hangover Helper

Hangover services capitalize on college towns and party-heavy areas where people pay premium rates for assistance recovering from excessive drinking.

Service offerings include cleanup assistance, food delivery, medication provision, and basic care for severely hungover individuals unable to function normally.

Pricing models charge $25-75 per hour depending on services provided, with weekend premium rates during peak demand periods.

Business development requires marketing to college students, party planners, and hospitality venues that host events generating hungover customers.

Safety protocols ensure you help people recover safely without providing medical advice or handling dangerous situations requiring professional intervention.

7. Sell Coffee Mugs

Collectible mug trading taps into nostalgia markets where vintage, limited edition, or celebrity-associated mugs command surprising resale values.

Sourcing strategies include garage sales, thrift stores, estate sales, and online auctions where underpriced collectibles await discovery by knowledgeable buyers.

Profit margins often exceed 300-500% when you purchase common mugs for $1-3 and resell them for $15-50 to collectors seeking specific items.

Market research through eBay sold listings, collector forums, and price guides helps identify valuable mugs worth pursuing.

Storage considerations require careful handling and display space for inventory while building relationships with regular collectors seeking specific items.

8. Become A Professional Sleeper

Sleep research pays participants to test mattresses, bedding, sleep aids, and participate in studies examining sleep patterns and disorders.

Compensation rates range from $50-200 per night for product testing to $1,000+ for comprehensive sleep studies lasting multiple days.

Research facilities at universities, medical centers, and private companies regularly recruit healthy volunteers for various sleep-related studies.

Application requirements typically include health screenings, sleep pattern questionnaires, and willingness to follow specific protocols during study periods.

Additional opportunities include testing hotel accommodations, reviewing sleep products for companies, and consulting on sleep-related product development.

9. Sell Rocks

Rock and mineral collecting creates niche markets for interesting specimens, decorative stones, and unique geological finds that appeal to collectors.

Product categories include landscaping rocks, aquarium stones, mineral specimens, fossils, and decorative garden rocks with various commercial applications.

Collection methods involve hiking, beachcombing, quarry visits, and purchasing bulk materials for resale to specific market segments.

Market channels include online platforms like Etsy, local craft fairs, garden centers, and aquarium supply stores seeking unique stone products.

Specialized knowledge about geology, mineral identification, and market values helps you spot valuable specimens others might overlook.

10. Sell Used Underwear

Adult marketplace platforms facilitate sales of personal items to buyers with specific interests, creating income opportunities for sellers comfortable with these markets.

Platform options like Pantydeal handle transactions, payment processing, and customer communication while protecting seller anonymity.

Pricing strategies depend on item types, customization requests, and seller reputation within these specialized marketplace communities.

Safety protocols require careful privacy protection, secure payment methods, and understanding platform rules for successful participation.

Market demand remains consistent across demographic segments, providing steady income potential for sellers comfortable with this business model.

11. Sell Empty Boxes

Packaging resale serves online sellers, movers, and gift-givers who need specific boxes for shipping, storage, or presentation purposes.

High-value boxes include original packaging for electronics, luxury goods, and collectibles that maintain item value and facilitate resale.

Platform sales through eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Mercari connect you with buyers needing specific packaging.

Storage management requires organizing boxes by size, condition, and demand to maximize space efficiency and quick fulfillment.

Seasonal demand peaks during holidays, back-to-school periods, and moving seasons when packaging needs surge dramatically.

12. Sell Your College Class Notes

Academic note-sharing monetizes your classroom attention while helping struggling students succeed in challenging courses.

Platform options include Stuvia, GradeBuddy, and StudySoup that facilitate note sales and protect intellectual property.

Quality requirements demand clear organization, comprehensive coverage, and accurate information that genuinely helps other students learn course material.

Pricing strategies consider course difficulty, note quality, and platform commission rates while remaining competitive with other note sellers.

Legal considerations require understanding university policies about note-sharing and ensuring you don’t violate academic integrity rules.

13. Sell Your Poop

Fecal microbiota transplantation creates medical demand for healthy stool samples used to treat serious intestinal disorders and restore gut health.

Screening processes eliminate 98% of potential donors through extensive health evaluations, psychological assessments, and lifestyle requirements.

Compensation rates reach $40 per sample with potential annual earnings up to $13,000 for qualified donors maintaining consistent schedules.

Medical facilities like OpenBiome coordinate donation programs, handle screening, and manage sample collection and processing.

Health requirements include excellent digestive health, stable lifestyle habits, and willingness to maintain strict dietary and medication protocols.

14. Be A Snake Milker

Venom extraction serves pharmaceutical companies developing antivenoms and medical treatments requiring snake venom compounds for research and production.

Safety training becomes absolutely critical when handling venomous snakes. Professional certification and proper equipment prevent potentially fatal accidents.

Compensation levels reflect danger and specialization, with experienced milkers earning $30,000-50,000 annually plus benefits at research facilities.

Venom values can reach $1,000-2,000 per gram for rare species, making this specialized work extremely valuable despite inherent risks.

Career requirements include herpetology knowledge, fearless animal handling, and working at zoos, research institutions, or pharmaceutical companies.

15. Sell Your Hair

Hair markets serve wig makers, extension manufacturers, and individuals seeking natural hair for medical or cosmetic purposes.

Quality factors affecting price include length, color, texture, and processing history. Virgin hair commands highest prices due to versatility.

Length requirements typically start at 10 inches minimum, with longer hair bringing exponentially higher prices up to $1,000+ for exceptional specimens.

Sales platforms include HairSellon, BuyandSellHair, and direct sales to local wig makers or salons.

Preparation processes involve proper cutting, bundling, and documentation to maximize hair value and appeal to potential buyers.

16. Be A Pooper Scooper

Pet waste removal addresses disgusting but necessary tasks pet owners gladly pay others to handle, creating steady service business opportunities.

Service pricing ranges from $10-25 per visit for residential clients, with commercial properties and multi-pet households paying premium rates.

Equipment needs include scooping tools, waste bags, disinfectant, and transportation for efficient route management and professional presentation.

Client acquisition happens through door-to-door marketing, social media advertising, and partnerships with veterinarians or pet supply stores.

Business expansion includes additional services like pet sitting, dog walking, or yard maintenance to increase revenue per customer relationship.

17. Play Video Games

Competitive gaming creates income through tournament winnings, streaming revenue, sponsorship deals, and content creation around gaming skills.

Tournament circuits for games like Fortnite, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike offer prize pools exceeding $30 million annually.

Streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming monetize viewership through subscriptions, donations, and advertising revenue.

Skill development requires dedicated practice, strategy learning, and staying current with game updates and competitive meta changes.

Alternative income includes game testing, coaching lower-skilled players, and creating educational content about gaming strategies and techniques.

18. Flip RVs And Campers

Mobile home renovation capitalizes on growing demand for affordable living alternatives and recreational vehicles for travel enthusiasts.

Purchase strategies involve finding undervalued RVs through auctions, estate sales, and private sellers looking to liquidate quickly.

Renovation skills in plumbing, electrical work, interior design, and mechanical systems increase project profitability and market appeal.

Market demand continues growing as housing costs rise and remote work enables mobile lifestyles for increasing numbers of people.

Profit margins can exceed 100% for skilled renovators who purchase distressed units and restore them to attractive, functional condition.

19. Rent Yourself As A Friend

Companionship services address loneliness and social anxiety by providing friendship, conversation, and activity partners for people seeking human connection.

Platform registration through RentAFriend connects you with clients seeking non-romantic companionship for various activities and social situations.

Service boundaries maintain appropriate professional relationships while providing genuine friendship experiences for clients needing social interaction.

Pricing structures range from $10-50 per hour depending on activities, location, and demand in your area.

Safety protocols include meeting in public places, maintaining professional boundaries, and screening clients to ensure mutual comfort and safety.

20. Get Paid To Test Products

Product testing spans various categories including personal care items, food products, electronics, and household goods requiring consumer feedback.

Compensation methods include cash payments, free products, gift cards, and sometimes significant fees for specialized testing requiring specific demographics.

Application processes involve registering with companies like UserTesting, Pinecone Research, and specialized testing facilities.

Time commitments vary from 15-minute surveys to multi-week product trials depending on testing requirements and compensation levels.

Qualification criteria often target specific demographics, interests, or usage patterns that match client research needs.

21. Sell Breast Milk

Breast milk sales help mothers unable to breastfeed while providing additional income for nursing mothers with oversupply.

Market platforms like Only the Breast facilitate transactions between milk providers and families needing supplemental nutrition.

Pricing factors include freshness, storage methods, location, and screening requirements that buyers demand for safety assurance.

Safety considerations require proper storage, handling, and screening to ensure milk quality and recipient health protection.

Legal aspects vary by location, with some areas regulating milk sales while others treat it as unregulated commerce between consenting parties.

Final Thoughts

Weird ways to make money prove that opportunity exists everywhere when you think creatively about market needs and consumer behavior.

Success in unusual income streams requires overcoming social conditioning that labels certain activities as “too weird” or inappropriate for serious consideration.

Sometimes the strangest ideas generate the most surprising profits when you approach them professionally.

The people who embrace weirdness early often profit most when trends shift 🙂