Hi Oddies,

Jen Glantz here. Last week, we chatted about ways to make an extra $1,000 a week. But this week, let’s focus on the odd jobs out there that will pay you to do very easy or shockingly fun things — like travel around to luxury hotels and spas!

Dive in below and if you apply to any of these gigs, let me know which ones you picked!

Wedding Speeches & Eulogies

Ps. if you (or anyone you know) needs a wedding speech this season (vows, officiant, maid of honor/best man, father/mother of bride/groom, sister/brother of the bride/groom) — I built these really awesome speech writing tools. Also, a eulogy tool (though I hope nobody you know needs to use that).

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Get Paid to…

Watch Star Wars

FinanceBuzz is offering $1,000 to a Star Wars newcomer to watch all nine Skywalker saga movies (25 hours and 7 minutes total) and provide an outsider's perspective.

The chosen "Wookiee Rookie" will receive an additional $100 for streaming costs and snacks. The assignment involves watching the movies in release order, from Episode IV to Episode IX, answering questions, giving impressions, and rating each film. To be eligible, applicants must have never seen any Star Wars movies, shows, or played related video games.

They must be U.S.-based and at least 18 years old.

Applications for this are closed but you can check their website for more odd opps like this.

Move to Spain

Extremadura, Spain is offering financial incentives to attract digital nomads and combat depopulation. Want to move there? You’ll earn $16,000.

The local government has allocated €2 million to bring up to 200 remote workers to the region.

Grants of up to €15,000 are available, with varying amounts based on age and gender. Women and men under 30 can receive €10,000 initially, with an additional €5,000 after two years if they stay another year.

Men over 30 can get €8,000, plus €4,000 after two years with the same condition. Applicants must be eligible for Spain's digital nomad visa (if non-EU), work remotely (preferably in tech), and commit to living in a town with fewer than 5,000 residents for at least two years.

The program aims to revitalize the region's economy and reverse population decline, offering a lower cost of living and robust telecommunications infrastructure as additional incentives.

Learn more here

Buckle Up

Kansas is launching "Bucks for Buckles," a program encouraging seat belt use, from August 24 to September 8, 2024, in 46 cities.

Sponsored by Safe Kids Kansas, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, State Farm, and the Kansas Department of Transportation, the initiative rewards drivers with dollar bills when all vehicle occupants are properly buckled.

Those not wearing seat belts receive educational materials instead. The program aims to improve Kansas' seat belt usage, which at 87% lags behind the national average of 91%. In 2023, 387 people died on Kansas roads, with 35% unbuckled.

Learn more here

Do Homework

California has launched Hire UP, a $30 million state program that pays eligible community college students for time spent in class and on homework.

The program calculates payments based on California's minimum wage of $16 per hour, for up to 30 hours of academic work per week.

For example, one student will receive nearly $2,000 monthly.

Learn more

Get Off Your Phone

A company is offering an intriguing challenge: go without your smartphone for a week and earn $2,500.

The selected participant will receive a basic "dumb" phone for essential communication during the phone-free period.

As part of the challenge, the winner must document their experience and provide a rating of the overall journey. This unique opportunity combines a digital detox with financial incentive, encouraging participants to disconnect from their smartphones and potentially gain new perspectives on their technology use.

Interested individuals have until September 15 at 11:59 p.m. EDT to submit their applications. This challenge presents a chance to unplug, unwind, and potentially earn a significant sum for a week of smartphone-free living.

Apply here

Go to Luxury Spa

Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) is hiring evaluators to assess luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, and cruises worldwide.

The job involves incognito visits to high-end properties, grading them on over 900 standards. Evaluators must travel at least 10 days monthly, including weekends, and handle their own bookings and expenses (later reimbursed). The role requires trying various dining experiences at each property.

Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, live near major airports, and maintain a low social media profile.

The annual salary starts between $60,000 and $70,000, with potential for increase. Perks include complimentary luxury travel, accumulated credit card rewards, and occasional companion travel.

Apply here

Talk About Voting

Relentless, a political organizing group, is launching a $10.8 million program focused on relational organizing for the upcoming election.

A key feature of this initiative is offering participants a $200 stipend to engage in get-out-the-vote activities.

The program aims to build a network of over 2 million voters across seven battleground states, including Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Learn more

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