We all know the feeling- you’ve blown your budget for the month and find yourself up a creek without a paddle (or, more likely, down a river of debt with no end in sight).
Whether it’s due to overspending, an unexpected expense, or just bad luck, we’ve all found ourselves in need of some extra cash from time to time.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to make a quick buck without having to get a second job. In this article, we have listed 50 ways to make extra cash and also literally stupid ideas you shouldn’t think about making money.
Stupid Ways to Make Money: These are Literally Stupid Ways – Don’t do It!
There are a lot of ways to make money, but some of them are just plain stupid. If you’re looking for ways to bring in extra cash, steer clear of these boneheaded options.
1. Begging
This is not only stupid, it’s also pathetic and likely to get you nowhere. If you’re begging for money, people will probably give you change at best and more likely they’ll just ignore you altogether. You’re better off getting a job than begging for money.
2. Selling Drugs
Selling drugs is illegal and it’s a quick way to get yourself into a lot of trouble. Not only that, but it’s not a very good way to make money either.
You’re more likely to end up in jail than to reap any real profits from drug dealing.
3. Selling Your Body
If you’re desperate for money, selling your body is certainly not the way to go. Not only is it illegal and immoral, it’s also very dangerous – you could be putting your health at risk if you engage in sex work or other forms of prostitution.
There are better ways to make money without resorting to desperate measures like this.
4. Gambling
Gambling is a lot of fun, but it’s also very risky. If you’re trying to make money, gambling should definitely be avoided.
Not only will you have to pay out more than what you win in the long run, but there’s also always the chance that you could end up losing all of your hard-earned cash.
There are plenty of other ways to make extra money – these just happen to be some decidedly bad ones!
For smarter and safer options, check out this list of legitimate ways to earn extra money online or try one of these proven ways to start making real money today.
Whatever path you choose, go for something that truly works instead of wasting your time on dumb ideas like these!
Read on to actually make some extra cash:
50 Stupid (Legitimate) Ways to Make Some Extra Money
From taking online surveys to working as a freelance article writer, there are many ways to make money online. While some of these methods may not make you rich, they can still help you earn some extra cash to help pay the bills or save up for something special.
1. Sell Your Poop
Yes, you heard it right! You can sell your poop. You can earn about $13,000 per year by selling your poop to people in need.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) is a therapy where the poop from a healthy person is inserted into the gut of a sick individual. This therapy treats different types of gut-related diseases.
However, the poop sellers need to be in great health to sell their stools and go through testing to see if they qualify.
Many stool collecting companies pay around $40 per your stool. Some pay a $50 bonus if you can come in five days a week. This is roughly $250 per week and about $13,000 per year. And you won’t even have to do much, just bring your stool.
You can check out goodnatureprogram.com, they pay $25-$75 per stool and plus bonuses.
2. Sell Your Sperm
If you are a man with a healthy sperm count, you can earn up to $1,500 per month by selling your sperm. This is an easy way to make some extra cash.
You can go to a sperm bank and they will test your sperm count. If you have a high sperm count, you can earn up to $1,500 per month.
You can donate your sperm 2-3 times per week. This is a great way to make some extra money if you are healthy and have a high sperm count.
3. Sell Your Eggs
If you are a woman with healthy eggs, you can earn up to $5,000 by selling your eggs. This is a great way to make some extra money if you are healthy and have healthy eggs.
You can go to an egg bank and they will test your eggs.
4. Join a Clinical Trial
You can make money by joining clinical trials and testing new drugs. You will be paid for your time and you may also receive compensation for any discomfort that the trial may cause.
You can find out more about clinical trials in your area by contacting your local hospitals or research centers.
5. Be a Guinea Pig for Science Experiments
There are always new medical studies being conducted and they need people to participate in them. You can get paid for being a guinea pig for science experiments.
You can find out about medical studies in your area by contacting your local hospitals or research centers.
6. Sell Your Blood
You can earn up to $30-$50 per week by selling your blood. This is a great way to make some extra money if you are healthy and have healthy blood.
By blood I mean, you sell your plasma, a component in your blood that is used to treat serious illnesses. You can donate your plasma up to twice a week.
7. Sell Your Breast Milk
If you are a woman with excess breast milk, you can earn up to $2.50 per ounce by selling your breast milk. This is a great way to make some extra money if you are healthy and have excess breast milk.
You can go to a milk bank and they will test your milk. If you have high-quality milk, you can earn up to $1,500-2,500 per month.
8. Start a Blog
If you enjoy writing, consider starting a blog. You can easily set up a free blog through platforms like WordPress or Blogger in just a few minutes.
Once your blog is set up, start sharing your insights on a regular basis. If you build up a large enough following, you could even start making money through advertising or affiliate marketing programs.
9. Take Online Surveys
One easy way to make money online is by taking online surveys. There are many companies that pay participants to fill out surveys on their products, services, or market research.
These paid surveys don’t usually pay a lot – typically just a few dollars for each survey you complete. However, if you spend enough time taking surveys and building up a large database of survey responses, you can start making some real money from this activity.
10. Test Websites
You can also make money by testing websites for usability and user experience issues. Companies often hire people to test their sites before they go live in order to find any bugs or problems that need to be addressed before their official launch date.
To find these types of opportunities, try searching for “website testing jobs” online or reading through postings on webmaster forums.
11. Write and Sell eBooks
If you have some knowledge or expertise that others might find useful, consider writing and publishing an ebook.
There are many online marketplaces where you can sell your books, such as Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing platform or Apple’s iTunes Store Connect.
By writing about a subject that you’re passionate about, your ebook can not only earn you supplemental income, but it could also pave the way for more opportunities in your professional life too.
12. Freelance Article Writing
Another great way to make money online is by becoming a freelance writer for websites and other publications.
You can offer your services on sites like Upwork and Problogger, or post ads on job boards or classifieds sites seeking out writers for hire.
Once you’ve built up a portfolio of writing samples, you can start pitching your services to paying clients.
13. Sell Photos Online
If you’re a talented photographer, you could make money by selling your photos online. There are a number of stock photo websites where photographers can sell their images, such as Shutterstock or iStockphoto.
You can also set up your own website to sell your photos and earn revenue through advertising or affiliate marketing programs.
14. Do Micro-Jobs
There are also a number of websites that offer small tasks, or “micro-jobs,” that pay a few cents per task. While these jobs may not make you rich, they can still be a great way to earn some extra cash in your spare time.
Some of the most popular micro-job sites include Fiverr, Freelancer, and Amazon Mechanical Turk.
15. Offer Virtual Assistant Services
If you have administrative or clerical skills and experience, you could offer virtual assistant services to businesses or individuals that need help managing their day-to-day tasks.
Virtual assistants typically work from home and are paid an hourly rate for completing various tasks for their clients. You can find virtual assistant jobs online through job boards or by reaching out directly to potential clients.
16. Become a Social Media Manager
Social media has become an essential part of modern business practices, so it’s no surprise that social media managers are becoming more in-demand as well.
As a social media manager, you’ll be responsible for managing a company’s or individual’s social media accounts and posts. This includes creating and scheduling content, interacting with followers, and monitoring feedback or comments.
If you have experience with social media and an interest in marketing or communications, you could be the perfect candidate for this type of job.
17. Sell Your Crafts
If you’re a talented crafter or artist, you could sell your creations online through sites like Etsy or at local craft fairs.
You can also set up your own website to sell your crafts and earn revenue through advertising or affiliate marketing programs.
18. Sell on Amazon
If you regularly buy products online, you may have considered selling your unused or unwanted items on Amazon. Amazon is a leading online marketplace where buyers and sellers can come together to buy and sell goods.
Amazon offers a number of ways for individuals to make money by selling their own stuff on the site, including through its popular Fulfillment by Amazon program.
If you have products in good condition that are worth re-selling, this could be an excellent option for you.
19. Sell Insurance Policies
Insurance companies are always looking for professional agents with experience in sales and marketing who understand how to successfully acquire new clients.
If you have strong organizational skills, independent work experience, and a passion for helping others protect themselves from financial risk, you could start a career as an insurance agent.
You can find job openings with insurance companies online or by contacting them directly.
20. Sell Handmade Jewelry
If you’re a talented jewelry maker, you could sell your creations online or at local craft fairs and boutiques or on Etsy.
You can also set up your own website to sell your jewelry and earn revenue through advertising or affiliate marketing programs.
21. Resell Event Tickets
If you have strong organizational skills, reliable access to transportation, and an interest in attending local events, you could make money by reselling tickets online.
Many people purchase tickets well in advance of the actual event to save time and ensure that they get good seats.
You can buy these tickets at a discount from other ticket holders who will be unable to attend the event and then resell them for a profit on websites like StubHub or Craigslist.
22. Tutor Online or In-Person
If you’re knowledgeable in any subject area, whether it’s math, English, history, science, or anything else, you could offer tutoring services to students in need.
You can tutor online through sites like Tutor.com or in person, depending on your availability and the preferences of your students.
You can set your own rates and schedule, so this is a great option if you’re looking for flexible work.
23. Do Odd Jobs
There’s always someone in need of a helping hand, whether it’s around the house, at a local business, or in the community.
If you’re willing to lend a hand for a few hours, you could earn some extra cash doing odd jobs. Check out TaskRabbit or Craigslist to find opportunities near you.
24. Offer Pet-Sitting Services
If you love animals and have experience caring for them, you could start a business as a pet-sitter. You can offer your services to local pet owners or connect with clients through online platforms like Rover.com.
25. Do Freelance Work
If you have any skills or experience that others might be willing to pay for, you could do freelance work. Freelance work is often project-based and can be done remotely, so it’s a great option if you’re looking for flexible work.
There are a number of ways to find freelance work, including online job boards, networking, and reaching out directly to potential clients.
26. Be a Mystery Shopper
Mystery shopping is a popular way to earn extra cash, and it’s also a lot of fun. As a mystery shopper, you’re paid to shop at businesses and report back on your experience.
This can involve anything from evaluating customer service to testing out new products. To get started, you’ll need to sign up with a mystery shopping company and be assigned shops to complete in your area.
Once you’ve completed the assigned shops, you’ll submit a report detailing your experience and receive payment for your work.
27. Participate in Focus Groups
Focus groups are a great way to earn some extra cash by sharing your opinions on various products and services.
Companies use focus groups to gather feedback on new products or services before they’re released to the public, so your feedback could help shape the direction of a new product or service.
You can find focus groups through online platforms like Craigslist or by contacting companies directly. Payment for focus group participation typically takes the form of a cash honorarium or gift card.
28. Offer to Babysit
If you’re a responsible and reliable person, you could offer to babysit for families in your community. This is a great way to earn some extra cash while also getting some quality time with kids. You can find babysitting gigs through online platforms like Care.com or by reaching out to local families directly.
29. Rent Out a Room in Your Home
If you have an extra room in your home, you could rent it out to earn some extra cash. This is a great option if you’re looking for flexible work or if you need to generate income quickly.
You can list your room online through sites like Airbnb or on local classifieds and job boards. Just be sure to screen potential tenants carefully before renting out your space.
30. Sell Your Gently Used Clothing
If you have a lot of clothes, shoes, or other items that you no longer use, you could sell them to earn extra cash.
There are many websites and apps like Poshmark and ThredUp where you can list your clothing and accessories for sale.
You’ll typically be paid either via PayPal or by check once the buyer has received their order.
31. Advertise Your Car
If you have a car and are looking for a way to make some extra cash, advertising your car with Wrapify could be an option worth exploring.
Wrapify pays drivers to wrap their cars in advertising, typically paying between $300 and $450 per month. To get started, all you need is a clean driving record, proof of insurance, and a relatively new car that isn’t too dirty or damaged.
You’ll also need to submit photos of your vehicle so that the company’s marketing team can review them before getting started.
Once approved, you’ll show up on ads whenever you drive around your city or town. The more time you spend on the road, the higher your advertising payments will be. Note that this opportunity is only available in select cities.
32. Collect and Sell Scrap Metal
Scrap metal is a great way to make some extra cash, and it’s also pretty easy to get your hands on. If you know where to look, you can find scrap metal just about anywhere.
Once you’ve collected enough, you can take it to a local scrap yard or recycling center to get paid.
The amount you’ll earn will depend on the type and weight of the metal you have, but it’s typically a decent amount of money.
33. Flip Old Furniture
If you’re good at spotting a good deal, you could try your hand at flipping old furniture. You can find furniture to flip at yard sales, thrift stores, or online classifieds and job boards.
Once you’ve fixed up the piece of furniture, you can sell it for a profit online or through local classifieds and job boards.
34. Deliver Food or Other Items
If you have a car and some free time, you could deliver food or other items for people in your community. Or just sign up for Doordash or Instacart.
This is a great way to make some extra cash while also helping out others in your community. You can find delivery gigs through online platforms like Postmates or by contacting local businesses directly.
35. Offer Your Services as a Handyman
If you’re good at fixing things around the house, you could offer your services as a handyman. This is a great way to earn some extra cash while also helping out your community.
You can find handyman gigs through online platforms like TaskRabbit or by contacting local businesses directly.
36. Use the Honey App to Save Money
If you’re looking for a way to save money on your regular purchases, you could try using the Honey app. This site works with thousands of online retailers to help you find discounts and coupons so that you can get the best possible deals.
You won’t need to do anything besides shop normally at the stores listed on their website and activate any offers that show up on your account.
37. Rent out Your Car When It’s Not in Use
If you have a car but don’t drive it all day every day, then renting out your vehicle through services like Turo or HyreCar could be an option worth considering.
These sites connect people who need cars with drivers who are willing to rent out their vehicles for a few hours or days at a time.
You can typically earn around $50 per day from this activity, though the amount will vary depending on the car you have and how often you’re able to rent it out.
38. Yard Sale
This one is especially effective if you have kids who are constantly outgrowing their clothes or if you’ve recently gone through a move and need to get rid of some unwanted household items.
Just throw everything that you don’t need into a box and set it out on your front lawn with a sign that says “YARD SALE.” Before long, you’ll have made back at least some of the money that you spent on those impulse purchases.
39. Drive for Uber or Lyft
If you have a car and enjoy driving, you could drive for Uber or Lyft. These companies connect people who need rides with drivers in their area.
As an added bonus, they typically pay quite well – many drivers make over $20 per hour when they’re driving people around town.
Just note that these platforms require you to be 21 years old at the minimum and to pass a background check before starting work.
40. Get Paid to Lose Weight
If you’re looking for an unconventional way to make money and lose weight at the same time, then you should consider adding HealthyWage to your list.
This site allows you to place a bid on how much weight you’d like to lose and how long it will take you. If you meet your goals, the company will give you your money back with a little extra on top as a reward.
41. Offer Photography Services
Are you good at taking photos? If so, why not find ways to turn your passion into some extra cash? There are many different types of photography gigs out there – from shooting family portraits or weddings to photographing events, products, or animals.
You can typically charge by the hour or by the photo depending on the type of gig you’re doing and how much experience you have.
42. Use Credit Card Cashback Rewards to Earn Money
If you use your credit cards regularly, then you should definitely be using these rewards systems to earn some extra cash.
Many credit card companies offer a certain percentage of cashback when you make purchases at certain stores or restaurants – all without requiring any additional work on your part.
Just note that many of these cards will charge an annual fee, so make sure the benefits outweigh the cost before signing up.
43. Rent Out an RV
If you own an RV, you can make money by renting it out. You can make up to $1,000 per week by renting out your RV. This is a great way to make some extra money if you have an RV that you are not using.
You can list your RV on sites like RVshare.com and Outdoorsy.com.
44. Professional Cuddler
Yes, you can get paid to cuddle! Professional cuddlers are paid to provide companionship and physical touch. This is a great way to make some extra money if you are a people person and enjoy being close to others.
You can find professional cuddling jobs on sites like Cuddle Comfort and Cuddlist.
45. Sell Your Hair
If you have long hair, you can earn up to $1,000 by selling your hair. This is a great way to make some extra money if you have long hair that you are not using.
46. Sell Your Trash
You can actually make money by selling your trash! This is a great way to make some extra money if you have a lot of trash that you are not using.
You can list your trash on sites like Freecycle and Craigslist.
47. Scrap Metal
If you have scrap metal, you can earn up to $100 per ton by selling it. This is a great way to make some extra money if you have scrap metal that you are not using.
You can find scrap metal buyers on sites like Craigslist and Freecycle.
48. Recycling
You can make money by recycling materials such as glass, aluminum, and plastic. You can earn up to $100 per ton by recycling these materials. This is a great way to make some extra money if you have materials that you are not using.
You can find recycling centers in your area by searching online or contacting your local government.
49. Sell Your Art
If you are an artist, you can make money by selling your art. You can earn up to 70% of the sale price by selling your art. This is a great way to make some extra money if you are an artist.
You can list your art on sites like Etsy and Amazon.
50. Rent Yourself Out as Advertising Person
You can make money by renting yourself out as an advertising person. You can earn up to $100 per hour by renting yourself. This is a great way to make some extra money if you are good at promoting products and services.
Conclusion on Stupid Ways to Make Money
Unless it’s a literally stupid idea to make money then don’t do it but if you want to make more money, there are a number of strategies and techniques you can use.
The key is finding the right methods for you, since what works for one person might not work for another. Before deciding on any particular strategy, it’s important to do ample research so that you’re sure of its viability and potential ROI.