Tired of the same old side hustles? These weird ways to make money might sound strange, but they work, especially for guys willing to get creative.
From selling human hair to renting out random stuff, here are 13 surprisingly effective (and legal) ways to make money.
1. Get paid to be someone’s buddy
Yes, people pay to hang out – no strings attached. Sites like RentAFriend and Papa connect users with friendly companions for coffee, events, or a chat. These services are platonic, often virtual, and focused on providing conversation or a personal touch.
If you're outgoing and enjoy meeting new people, this is a simple way to make money. You set your own hours and rates, and respectful, reliable companions often earn more.
To build trust:
Set clear expectations
Stay professional
Be consistent
2. Become a walking ad (for real)
If you don’t mind attention, being a walking ad is one of the boldest ways to make a few dollars. People pay for branded T-shirts, temporary tattoos, or sign-holding gigs at busy intersections and events.
Small brands use this for promotions, product launches, or viral services, especially where visibility matters more than polish. It’s popular for social media stunts, too.
This is perfect for guys who stay upbeat in public and don’t mind standing out. Some even make it a part-time job, working at conventions or tourist hotspots. If rocking a pizza logo on your chest sounds fun and you're confident doing it, this activity rewards your boldness.
3. Record funny voice messages or impersonations
Got a goofy voice or solid impression? Recording custom voice messages is one of the most creative and weird ways to earn cash online. People order them on Fiverr, Cameo, or TikTok for birthdays, roast clips, or inside jokes.
Popular gigs include:
Celebrity impersonations
Cartoon voiceovers
Fake voicemail greetings
You don’t need a studio, just a phone and a quiet room. Personality matters more than perfection. Be funny, confident, and fast. It’s a great gig for guys who enjoy making content, don’t mind being silly, and want to sell their energy through fun, custom services.
4. Join a sleep or snack study
If you’re open to science-backed side gigs, becoming a test subject can get you paid to nap or eat snacks. Universities and research labs often pay volunteers for sleep studies, food trials, or product testing. It’s a legit way to participate and earn real bucks.
You might:
Try diets or supplements
Track sleep for a few nights
Review snack textures or flavors
Compensation ranges from $50 to thousands, depending on time and risk. While it may feel like being a human guinea pig, it’s usually safe with proper protocols. Among weird ways to make extra money, this suits curious guys with flexible time.
5. Rent out your garage, shed, or backyard
Got unused space? People pay for it – seriously. You can rent your garage, shed, or backyard for everything from kayak storage to doggie playdates. It’s one of the lesser-known ways to make money passively, especially for guys with a bit of extra room.
Examples include:
Outdoor gear storage
Dog parks or fenced play spaces
Event or photo shoot locations
Backyard camping or garden rentals
Use trusted platforms like Neighbor, Sniffspot, or Peerspace, which handle scheduling, payments, and insurance for added safety.
Since no labor is involved, this is perfect if you want to make extra money by offering simple assistance without lifting a finger. You set the rules, pricing, and availability, then let your space generate money. Renting space might be the most underrated among ways to earn passively.
6. Be an extra in background scenes
Looking for a low-stress job? Working as a film extra is one of the easiest ways to make money. Local shoots and student projects often need regular people to participate in simple background scenes.
You might:
Walk across a set
Pretend to chat
Sit in a crowd
No lines, no pressure, just show up and follow directions. Most gigs pay $50–$200 a day. Check casting sites, Facebook groups, or local boards. It’s well-paid for minimal effort and offers a peek into production life. If you’ve got time, it’s a fun, low-key way to earn extra doing something different.
Want an easy place to start?
JumpTask offers simple question-based tasks, surveys, and quizzes that pay fast. No experience needed.
7. Model your hands, feet, or back-of-your-head
You don’t need a model's looks to make money with pictures. Brands and photographers often pay for close-ups of hands, feet, or the back of your head. It’s one of the ways to make money with pictures that’s surprisingly high demand.
To start:
Groom skin, hands, or feet
Use natural light
Post on freelance sites or stock platforms
Keep content clean and brand-safe
Companies use these for jewelry, skincare, and shoe ads. It’s not a full-time job, but you can sell what most overlook and get repeat clients.
8. Join a paid focus group or market research panel
Want to get paid for your opinion? Companies often pay men to join focus groups or feedback panels. These groups help brands improve products, so they seek fresh, real perspectives.
People pay attention to reliable participants. Topics vary from food to gadgets to recent content.
Sessions run 30–90 minutes and pay $50–$200. It’s one of the easiest ways to make money if you’re interested in marketing. While not a steady income, it’s a flexible, low-barrier gig.
9. Teach something oddly specific
Got a weird hobby or random fix-it skill? Turn it into a high-income skill by teaching it online. Guys build real income by sharing niche how-tos, like sharpening axes, fixing old gaming consoles, or reviewing obscure gear.
Offer simple, useful assistance like consultations or live demos
You don’t need a big setup, just a phone and something oddly helpful to share. Sell your knowledge in fun, fast clips that get right to the point.
Keep content focused, relatable, and weird enough to stand out. This is one of those ways to make money that combines personality and usefulness. You don’t need to be an expert, just someone willing to teach what others Google at 2 a.m.
10. Try microtasks that pay in crypto or cash
If you want to make money fast without a major time commitment, microtasking is worth exploring. In minutes, you can finish these tiny online jobs, like surveys, watching videos, app testing, link clicks, or installs.
Tasks are usually repeatable and straightforward, making this a great option if you’re short on time or multitasking. Many platforms pay in cash, while others offer crypto rewards.
JumpTask is a mobile-friendly platform that lets you complete microtasks and earn crypto instantly – no bank account required. It’s quick, secure, and one task pays just enough to keep stacking up.
Microtasks are great for guys who want flexible gigs they can knock out between meetings or while streaming. The work isn’t glamorous, but it adds up – and it’s one of the most practical ways to make extra money from your phone.
11. Get paid to wait in line (so others don’t have to)
Yes, people hire people to wait in line for them. From sneaker drops to concerts, demand for line-sitters is real. This job suits guys with flexible hours who don’t mind standing around.
Advertise yourself on Craigslist, TaskRabbit, or local groups. Some apps match you with clients for events or launches.
Tips:
Charge hourly or per event
Dress for the weather
Send quick updates
You can make $15–$30 an hour, or even thousands for hot-ticket items. It’s one of the easiest ways to make quick cash, and just standing there can earn real dollars.
12. Make videos reacting to... basically anything
Reaction clips are everywhere – and yes, you can make money doing them. Share your take on memes, shows, or ads. If you’ve got opinions and humor, this might be your thing.
Monetize through:
TikTok or YouTube Creator Funds
Affiliate links
Viewer donations
Start small with your phone. Keep it casual and consistent. Authenticity helps build your following.
No fancy editing needed, just solid reactions and style. It’s one of the most fun and engaging activities you can do. You can sell your energy, earn cash, and turn reactions into extra bucks online.
13. Film your daily routine and turn it into content
Sometimes, the most relatable clips are the simplest. "Day in the life" content – grilling, budgeting, fixing things – feels real and refreshingly normal.
Popular niches:
Meal prep or budgeting
Garage setups or job routines
Home maintenance or DIY
You just need your phone, good light, and honesty. No filters, just consistency. Add value with tips or humor, and you have one of the easiest ways to make extra.
Monetize through affiliate links or sell digital guides. This low-pressure hustle turns daily life into real bucks with a personal touch.
FAQs
Weird ways to make extra cash include selling human hair, being a cuddle comfort companion, or becoming a mystery shopper. These gigs pay surprisingly well and often require little effort.
Yes, these services are real. Just avoid unverified websites. Reputable groups pay fairly and follow safety protocols when you attend as a test subject or join an online panel.
Nope. Most ideas don’t require a resume, just personality, reliability, or a phone. From clips to simple services, these are made for beginners looking to make extra dimes quickly.
Generally yes, if you stick to trusted websites with clear payout terms. Platforms that offer cash or crypto typically have reviews, low entry fees, and reliable payout methods.
Filming clips, doing mystery shopper tasks, or joining a focus group all require no upfront cost. These are weird ways to make money without spending a dime.
Monika Ivanauskaite
Content Manager
Meet Monika, your go-to person for turning side-hustle ambitions into real income. As a content manager at JumpTask, she makes digital earning opportunities easy to understand and follow. With a Communication degree from Vilnius Tech and studies in International Communication at Hanze, Monika knows how to turn tricky money earning topics into practical tips. She’s been where you are and knows how hard it can be to start. That’s why her advice is always honest and clear. No empty promises, just real ways to make money online.
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IN THIS ARTICLE
1. Get paid to be someone’s buddy
3. Record funny voice messages or impersonations
4. Join a sleep or snack study
5. Rent out your garage, shed, or backyard
6. Be an extra in background scenes
7. Model your hands, feet, or back-of-your-head
8. Join a paid focus group or market research panel
9. Teach something oddly specific
11. Get paid to wait in line (so others don’t have to)
12. Make videos reacting to... basically anything
FAQs
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