10 Weird Side Hustle Ideas That Actually Make Money

The strange, the surprising, and the downright profitable.

If you’re tired of the same old “start a blog” or “deliver for DoorDash” advice, you’ll love this list. Some of the weirdest side hustles out there actually make decent money, if you’re brave (and curious) enough to try them. From selling your hair to offering your friendship, here are some of the strangest yet legit ways to make extra cash.

1. Selling Your Urine (for Science or Industry)

This might sound wild, but some companies legitimately buy urine for testing purposes. Fertility clinics, agricultural labs, and detox product testers sometimes need real samples for research or product calibration.

Pregnant women, in particular, may find opportunities to sell urine because pregnancy hormones (like hCG) are used in lab testing and in the production of pregnancy tests. Certain industries also use urine for testing pH, hydration, or metabolic data in experiments.

How to start:

• Search for research studies at local universities or labs.
• Look into clinical trials or medical testing companies that require samples.
• Always verify legitimacy—avoid “backdoor” ads or illegal uses (like fake drug tests).

Earning potential: $100–$500 per month depending on frequency and demand.

2. Renting Out Your Friendship

If you’re social, kind, and a good listener, you can actually get paid just to hang out with people. Platforms like RentAFriend.com connect people looking for company, whether for dinner, events, concerts, travel or just chatting. This is not a dating site; it’s about companionship, conversation, and connection.

How it works:

• Create a free profile showcasing your personality and interests.
• Clients reach out for platonic meetups, and you set your own rates.
• You can accept or decline any request and meet in public places for safety.

Pay range: $20–$50 per hour, plus sometimes meals, tickets, or travel expenses.

It might sound odd, but it’s a legitimate way to earn money while making new friends—and you might even meet some fascinating people along the way.

3. Selling Hair

If you have long, untreated, or rare-color hair, you can literally cut it off and cash in. Real human hair is used for wigs, extensions, and art.

Where to sell:

• HairSellon.com
• BuyandSellHair.com
• eBay (for niche buyers)

Tips for success:

• Avoid dyes, heat treatments, or chemical processing.
• Measure your ponytail length—buyers usually want 10 inches or longer.
• Include details like color, texture, and lifestyle (smoker/non-smoker).

Earning potential: $200–$1,500+ depending on hair length and quality.

Fun fact: Redheads and people with rare natural colors can earn a premium!

4. Donating Plasma or Stool

While donating plasma is fairly well known, stool donations are still one of the strangest side hustles around. Some medical research organizations need stool samples to study gut bacteria or treat patients with specific infections.

Plasma donations:

• Done at certified donation centers like CSL Plasma or BioLife.
• Quick process (around 90 minutes).
• Pays around $30–$100 per session, and you can go multiple times a month.

Stool donations:

• Programs like OpenBiome pay healthy donors for stool samples used in gut microbiome transplants and studies.
• You’ll go through a health screening first.
• Pays up to $1,500 per month for regular donations.

It might not be glamorous, but it’s science-backed, meaningful, and profitable!

5. Pet Waste Cleanup (a.k.a. Professional Pooper Scooper)

Dog waste cleanup is a booming business for people who don’t mind getting their hands dirty. Homeowners or property managers hire people to clean up yards or apartment lawns on a weekly basis.

How to start:

• Advertise locally on Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor.
• Partner with a company like DoodyCalls or Pet Butler to get started fast.
• Offer subscription-style cleanup (weekly or bi-weekly visits).

Earning potential: $15–$25 per yard or $50+ per hour for multiple clients.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s reliable, and no special skills required.

6. Modeling for Art Classes

If you’re confident and don’t mind posing still for long periods, you can make money as a figure model for art schools. These sessions help students practice drawing or sculpting the human form.

What to expect:

• Sessions last from 30 minutes to a few hours.
• You may need to hold still or change poses every few minutes.
• Most schools ensure professional, respectful environments.

Pay rate: $25–$75 per hour depending on experience and location.

This gig is especially popular in college towns and cities with active art communities.

7. Testing Dating Apps or Chatbots

AI companies and dating app developers need people to test their products and simulate user interactions. You might chat with bots, create test profiles, or provide feedback on matching algorithms.

Where to find gigs:

• Freelance sites like Upwork, UserTesting, and Respondent.io.
• Social media recruiting calls for “beta testers” or “chat testers.”

Pay range: $20–$60 per hour depending on task complexity.

Bonus: you’ll gain insider knowledge about how modern dating technology really works.

8. Selling Your Opinion (Focus Groups & Studies)

This one’s not necessarily weird, but some niche focus groups get oddly specific. Think: “Would you eat 3D-printed steak?” or “How does this ad for dentures make you feel?”

Where to apply:

• UserInterviews.com
• Respondent.io
• FocusGroup.com

You can qualify for high-paying studies by fitting unique demographics or habits.
Earnings: $50–$250 per session, sometimes more for longer interviews.

It’s easy, flexible, and a good complement to other side hustles.

9. Selling Used or Odd Items Online

If you love thrifting or decluttering, there’s money in selling bizarre or niche items online. From vintage McDonald’s toys to broken electronics (sold for parts), people collect everything.

Hot sellers include:

• Vintage fast-food toys
• Expired coupons (collectors love them!)
• Empty perfume bottles or branded shopping bags

Where to sell: eBay, Etsy, Mercari, or Facebook Marketplace.

What seems like trash to you might be treasure to someone else.

10. Selling Feet Pics

And finally, the infamous side hustle that’s made headlines: selling feet pics. It’s weird, yes, but also one of the most profitable and least time-consuming gigs on this list when done safely and professionally.

Who buys them:

• Artists and photographers for creative projects
• Marketers or stock image sites
• Certain niche collectors and creators

How to start safely:

• Join reputable platforms like FeetFinder, Instafeet, or Patreon.
• Never send personal photos or communicate outside verified platforms.
• Watermark your images or use alias accounts.
• Focus on lighting, themes, and consistent posting.

Potential earnings: $10–$100+ per photo set or monthly subscription content.

While it might raise eyebrows, this side hustle can bring in serious passive income with minimal startup cost. You just need a good camera and clean feet.

Final Thoughts

Weird doesn’t mean worthless! The side hustle world is full of surprising opportunities that can help you earn extra money, whether you’re donating plasma, cleaning up after pets, or yes, selling feet pics.

As long as you stay legal, safe, and smart about where you share personal info, these oddball ideas could turn into your next big payday.