10 Surprising Ways to Make Money You Never Knew Existed

Hit Man
ILLUMINATION
Published in
10 min readApr 9, 2023

Unlocking New Opportunities for Income and Achieving Greater Financial Freedom

Photo by Viacheslav Bublyk on Unsplash

Introduction

Most individuals place a high value on financial success. While it’s true that 9-to-5 jobs and company ownership are common methods to financial independence, there are plenty of other opportunities out there. This post will introduce you to 10 unconventional methods to earn cash that you may not have been aware of before.

Since not everyone has the knowledge or connections necessary to launch a company or get regular employment, it’s vital that people investigate other opportunities for producing money. If you’re open to other ways of making money, you could find one that fits your needs and goals better.

Without further ado, here is an overview of the 10 surprising ways to make money we’ll be exploring in this article:

  1. Rent out your car
  2. Rent out your home on Airbnb
  3. Become a pet sitter
  4. Sell your hair
  5. Participate in medical studies
  6. Rent out your driveway or parking space
  7. Become a mystery shopper
  8. Sell your breast milk
  9. Rent out your friendship
  10. Invest in domain names

These methods may seem unusual, but they have the potential to be lucrative and offer flexibility that traditional jobs often can’t provide. Let’s dive into each one and explore how they work, how much money you can make, and any potential drawbacks or risks.

1. Rent out your car

Renting out your vehicle is a novel method to generate income. Now more than ever, you can convert your automobile into a source of revenue by using a car-sharing service like Turo.

Turo, like other car-sharing platforms, matches available vehicles with drivers. Owners have complete control over rental prices and availability of their vehicles. Customers may reserve any vehicle they choose for a certain time and date.

Factors such as your location, the popularity of car rental services in your region, and the kind and model of your vehicle all affect how much money you may earn renting it out. On the other hand, the most successful hosts on Turo make an average of $1,000 monthly.

You may make some extra cash by renting out your vehicle, but you should be aware of the hazards involved. If you rent out your automobile, for instance, the vehicle may incur extra wear and tear, and you might be held responsible for any accidents or damages that occur. It is also crucial to verify your auto insurance coverage before renting out your vehicle since some plans do not cover rentals.

2. Rent out your home on Airbnb

Airbnb is a popular platform for people to earn money by renting out their spare rooms. Airbnb is a website that connects individuals who want to rent out their homes or flats to others who need temporary lodging.

In order to use Airbnb as a rental service, you must first create a listing that describes your property in full, including the number of bedrooms and baths, amenities, and photographs. You’ll also have to decide on a pricing and availability schedule for your house rental.

Location, property size and amenities, and local rental demand all play a role in how much money you may earn by renting out your home on Airbnb. In 2020, Airbnb estimates that hosts in the United States will make a monthly median income of $924.

Airbnb rentals may be a great way to bring in some additional cash, but there are some downsides and hazards to think about as well. There’s always the chance of property damage and the possibility of dealing with unruly visitors. It is also wise to research local ordinances before listing your house on Airbnb, since some municipalities ban or severely limit short-term rentals.

3. Become a pet sitter

If you like spending time with pets, pet sitting might be a rewarding side hustle. You may find pet owners who need someone to care for their pets while they’re gone via pet-sitting services like Rover.

If you’re interested in being a pet sitter on Rover, you’ll need to build a profile detailing your relevant experience, the services you can provide, and your availability. After that, pet owners may use Rover to find local pet sitters and schedule appointments with them.

It all comes down to the services you provide, your location, and the demand for pet-sitting in your region when determining how much money you may earn as a pet sitter. Rover claims that pet sitters may make $1,000 per month on average.

Pet sitting may be a profitable and enjoyable side hustle, but it’s important to be aware of the hazards involved. There’s a chance of injury or property damage, for instance, and you could have to deal with temperamental dogs or pet owners. It is also necessary to research local rules and regulations before providing pet-sitting services, since they may vary from city to city.

4. Sell your hair

There is a market for human hair that can be fairly profitable, but selling your hair may not be the first thing that springs to mind when searching for ways to generate money.

The growing popularity of hair accessories like wigs and extensions has been a major factor in the expansion of the human hair industry. You should look for a reliable buyer who is prepared to pay a reasonable price for your hair if you want to sell it.

Your potential earnings from the sale of your hair will be determined by its length, quality, and the current market demand for hair. Human hair, depending on its length and quality, may cost anywhere from $100 to $4,000. This is according to the website BuyandSellHair.com.

There are benefits and hazards to think about if you’re considering selling your hair to get some extra cash. If your hair has been damaged or chemically treated, for instance, you may not be able to sell it. There’s also the possibility of being scammed or not being paid for your hair since some purchasers may not be who they claim to be. If you’re thinking about selling your hair, make sure you find a reliable buyer and do your homework beforehand.

5. Participate in medical studies

You may be able to supplement your income by taking part in clinical trials and other medical investigations. Clinical trials are scientific investigations that evaluate the efficacy and safety of potential new therapies like medications and medical equipment.

You must be of a specified age, gender, and health condition in order to take part in a clinical research. In addition, you’ll need to take a battery of exams to see whether you qualify for the research.

Depending on the duration and complexity of the research, the compensation for participants might range from nothing to a substantial sum of money. The National Institutes of Health reports that the average compensation for taking part in a research study is between $600 and $3,000.

There are benefits and hazards to consider before deciding to participate in a medical study for financial gain. The experimental therapy may not be without risk, such as the development of unwanted side effects or problems. It’s also possible that participating in a study may require you to spend a significant amount of time in a hospital or research center. Before agreeing to take part in a clinical study, it’s crucial to have a thorough understanding of the potential outcomes.

6. Rent out your driveway or parking space

Renting out your driveway or parking spot is a terrific method to bring in some additional cash if you happen to reside in a major city or close to a famous site. You may connect with vehicles searching for parking by advertising your available parking spot on a parking sharing website like JustPark.

If you want to rent out your parking spot on JustPark, you’ll need to create a listing with details on the spot’s location, its availability, and the rate you’re ready to accept. After that, users of the JustPark site may look for available parking spots in their vicinity and reserve them instantly.

The location and demand for parking in your region are two of the biggest criteria that will determine how much money you may earn by renting out your parking spot. JustPark estimates that hosts may make an annual median income of $2,500 by renting out their parking spots.

There are benefits and hazards to think about before deciding to rent out your parking spot. Property damage and arguments with motorists over parking are two examples. It’s also vital to examine your local rules before renting out your parking spot, since certain municipalities have specific requirements pertaining to parking-sharing services.

7. Become a mystery shopper

Becoming a mystery shopper is a fun and easy way to get paid to buy and eat out at local establishments. The purpose of a “mystery shopper” visit is to assess the quality of an establishment’s service, cleanliness, and other factors.

The first step to become a mystery shopper is to join a mystery shopping firm or website. You may pick and select which local businesses pique your attention from the lists provided by these services. You will be required to provide feedback on your shopping experience in the form of a survey or report after each visit.

Earning potential for mystery shopping may range from minimum wage to six figures, depending on the firm you work for and the nature of the shops you do. Most mystery shoppers make between $8 and $25 each shop, with higher-level shoppers paying up to $50 or more, as reported by the Mystery Shopping Providers Association.

There are benefits and hazards to consider before taking on the role of a mystery shopper. The possibility of being cheated or not being paid for finished shops is one such drawback of mystery shopping. Some stores may even insist that you buy something, further eating into your profits. If you’re considering becoming a mystery shopper, you should take the time to learn about the industry and choose a reliable organization to partner with.

8. Sell your breast milk

Some moms are unable to make enough milk to feed their newborns, and some people feel that breast milk has health advantages over formula, hence there is a market for breast milk. Breast milk may be sold by breastfeeding mothers via a number of online marketplaces that match suppliers with consumers.

If you want to make money off of your breast milk, you’ll need to pass a safety test first. This usually entails giving a medical history, having blood tests run, and submitting a milk sample for examination.

Breast milk profits range from nothing to several thousand dollars each month, depending on supply and demand. Some vendors claim that you may make as much as $2.50 per ounce of breast milk, which can rapidly add up if you have a high milk production rate.

There are benefits and hazards to think about before deciding to sell breast milk online. For instance, improper storage and handling might lead to contamination or illness. Concerns over breast milk’s safety and ethical implications have led several medical experts and organizations to advise against purchasing and selling it. Before opting to sell your breast milk, it’s crucial to learn as much as possible and talk to your doctor.

9. Rent out your friendship

There is a need for social companions, and those who are prepared to rent out their time and company may make some extra cash. When you use a rent-a-friend service, you’re linking up with someone who is prepared to spend time with you in exchange for money.

You may start making money as a rent-a-friend by signing up with a respected rent-a-friend business and showcasing your hobbies and personality in a profile. Customers may then search through available friends and rent one that best fits their hobbies and lifestyle.

Earning potential for renting out friendship depends on the specific service provided and the time commitment made by the renter. Some websites claim that you may make $50 or more per hour for your company and services.

There are benefits and hazards to deciding to rent out your friendship as a method to make some additional cash. Clients may have hidden intentions or expectations beyond simple friendship, so it’s crucial to establish clear limits and have open lines of communication. Safety concerns might arise from client meetings if adequate security measures are not adopted. You should use care and only use a reliable rent-a-friend business to guarantee your safety.

10. Invest in domain names

To “invest” in a domain name is to purchase and retain it with the goal of selling it at a later date for a profit. Those who can spot promising domain names and sit on them until demand rises may make a tidy profit.

The ability to identify attractive domain names that are expected to gain in value over time is essential for domain name investors. Domain names may be purchased either directly from a registrar or on the secondary market through auction or marketplace services.

Domain name investment returns are very sensitive to the quality and demand for the domain in question. The price of a domain name may vary widely, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

Domain name investment has the potential to provide substantial earnings, but it is not without hazards. The domain name market might fall, for instance, or your new domain name could not increase in value as quickly as you’d intended. There is also the potential for cybersquatting, which occurs when a person registers a domain name with the goal of making money off of a brand name that is protected by trademark or copyright law. If you want to minimize losses and maximize gains, you should do your homework and only deal with trustworthy domain name registrars and markets.

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Conclusion

In summary, there are many surprising and unconventional ways to make money beyond traditional jobs and careers. We’ve explored 10 such ways, including renting out your car or home on Airbnb, becoming a pet sitter or mystery shopper, participating in medical studies, selling your hair or breast milk, renting out your driveway or parking space, investing in domain names, and even renting out your friendship.

By exploring these alternative ways of making money, you can potentially earn extra income and diversify your sources of revenue. However, it’s important to consider the potential drawbacks and risks associated with each method and take necessary precautions to protect yourself.

In today’s rapidly changing economy, it’s becoming increasingly important to think outside the box and explore new opportunities for income. By being open to unconventional ways of making money, you can potentially unlock new sources of income and achieve greater financial freedom.

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Hit Man
ILLUMINATION

As a blogger, I create content that informs and inspires others.