Hi Oddies,

Jen Glantz here. I spend so much of my free time on Reddit. it’s my favorite social media platform out there. It’s empty of the vain BS you find on the other ones and filled with people just being honest about the oddest things.

So today, I went through a dozen Reddit boards to source real odd jobs that real people have actually done to make money.

Scroll to read more about these gigs.

Spoiler alert: they aren’t fancy and a lot of them are intense. BUT people make real money doing some of these things.

Ps. My favorite ways to make side hustle money on a chilly weekend:

Make Money Stack:

• Poshmark: I sell clothes and other items around the house

• Etsy: Dreaming up what to sell on this platform.

• Survey Junkie: Get paid to take surveys

• Howl: How I get affiliate/brand deals as a creator

Real People Admitted Odd Ways They Make Money

Here are some of the odd ways people make money. I found all this information by searching through multiple Reddit boards. I don’t endorse any of these jobs personally and for legal reasons, can’t tell you to go off and do any of them. I’m just sharing information :)

Plus, help each other out! Have you tried any of these gigs? Have suggestions? Share it with the community of 5,000 cool people who also read this newsletter:

Leave a comment

Okay, lets go!!!

Snaking/clearing plumbing lines

• What it is: Using an electric plumbing snake to clear clogged drains and pipes in homes and businesses

• How to make money: Advertise services on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or local community boards; partner with property management companies

• Skills needed: Basic plumbing knowledge, ability to operate a plumbing snake, problem-solving skills, customer service

• Potential earnings: $400+ per day; can charge $100-$200 per job depending on complexity

• Additional info: Low startup costs (main investment is the snake tool), high demand for services, potential for repeat customers, can expand to other plumbing services

Pressure washing services

• What it is: Cleaning outdoor surfaces like driveways, decks, siding, and even garbage cans using high-pressure water equipment

• How to make money: Offer services to homeowners, businesses, and property managers; create monthly or seasonal cleaning packages

• Skills needed: Ability to operate a pressure washer, knowledge of different surfaces and appropriate cleaning methods, time management

• Potential earnings: $30-$100+ per job; potential for $1000+ per week with regular clients

• Additional info: Can start with a rented pressure washer to minimize initial costs, environmentally friendly cleaning options can be a selling point

Baking and selling specialty fruitcakes

• What it is: Creating unique, high-quality fruitcakes using premium ingredients and special recipes

• How to make money: Sell directly to customers through a website or social media, at local markets, or to specialty food stores

• Skills needed: Baking skills, recipe development, food safety knowledge, packaging and presentation skills. Also — license and permits.

• Potential earnings: Several hundred dollars per month (seasonal); premium cakes can sell for $50-$100 each

• Additional info: Can be done from home, requires proper licensing and adherence to local food safety regulations, potential for year-round sales with proper marketing

Selling plant cuttings and seedlings

• What it is: Propagating and selling parts of plants or young plants, particularly rare or trendy varieties

• How to make money: Sell online through platforms like Etsy or eBay, at local plant sales and farmers markets, or to local nurseries

• Skills needed: Gardening knowledge, plant care expertise, understanding of plant propagation techniques

• Potential earnings: Varies, but can be $20+ per plant for rare varieties; potential for $500-$1000+ per month

• Additional info: Low startup costs, can be done as a hobby, requires space for growing and caring for plants, potential for teaching workshops on plant care

Hosting overnight babysitting/Parents' Night Out events

• What it is: Providing childcare services for multiple children overnight, often including activities and meals

• How to make money: Advertise to local parents through community groups, partner with local businesses for cross-promotion

• Skills needed: Childcare experience, first aid certification, patience, ability to plan activities for various age groups

• Potential earnings: $400-$500 per event; potential for $1600-$2000 per month with weekly events

• Additional info: Requires appropriate space and safety measures, can partner with local attractions for field trips, consider themed nights for added appeal

Selling freeze-dried candy at flea markets

• What it is: Reselling unique freeze-dried candy products at local markets, fairs, and events

• How to make money: Buy freeze-dried candy in bulk from wholesalers and sell at a markup at various local venues

• Skills needed: Sales skills, basic math for pricing, ability to set up an attractive display

• Potential earnings: 100% markup on products; potential for $500-$1000+ per weekend at busy markets

• Additional info: Low risk, can be done on weekends, opportunity to expand into online sales or supplying local stores

Participating in clinical studies and medical research

• What it is: Volunteering for medical trials, drug studies, or health-related research projects

• How to make money: Sign up through research facilities, universities, or dedicated websites like clinicaltrials.gov

• Skills needed: None specific, must meet study criteria which can include age, health status, or specific conditions

• Potential earnings: $25-$300+ per study, some pay thousands for long-term participation; potential for $1000-$5000+ per year

• Additional info: Potential health risks, requires careful consideration and thorough understanding of each study's requirements and potential side effects

Teaching English online or chatting with language learners

• What it is: Helping non-native speakers practice English conversation through video calls or text chat

• How to make money: Sign up with online teaching platforms like VIPKid, Cambly, or italki

• Skills needed: Fluency in English, patience, basic tech skills, ability to explain language concepts

• Potential earnings: $15-$25+ per hour; potential for $1000-$2000+ per month with consistent hours

• Additional info: Flexible schedule, can be done from home, opportunity to learn about other cultures

Crocheting and selling dolls

• What it is: Creating handmade crochet dolls, often customized or themed, for sale

• How to make money: Sell on Etsy, at craft fairs, local markets, or through social media platforms

• Skills needed: Crocheting skills, creativity, basic photography for listings, time management

• Potential earnings: $20-$100+ per doll; potential for $500-$2000+ per month with consistent production

• Additional info: Low startup costs, can be done while watching TV, potential to expand into other crochet items or custom orders

Valeting for college football games or events

• What it is: Parking cars for attendees at large events such as college football games, concerts, or conferences

• How to make money: Work for valet companies or directly for venues, often on a per-event basis

• Skills needed: Valid driver's license, careful driving, customer service, ability to work in fast-paced environments

• Potential earnings: $11+ per hour plus tips; potential for $100-$300+ per event depending on duration and tips

• Additional info: Seasonal work, potential for high tips, opportunity to network and find other event-based work

Pet sitting for professionals and elderly neighbors

• What it is: Caring for pets while owners are away, including feeding, walking, and providing companionship

• How to make money: Advertise locally, use apps like Rover or Wag, or network with veterinarians and pet stores

• Skills needed: Animal care experience, reliability, scheduling, basic pet first aid knowledge

• Potential earnings: $20-$50+ per day per pet; potential for $1000-$2000+ per month with regular clients

• Additional info: Can lead to regular clients and word-of-mouth referrals, opportunity to specialize in certain types of pets or services

Growing and selling mandrakes on eBay

• What it is: Cultivating and selling live mandrake plants, which are often sought after for their unique appearance and folklore

• How to make money: List plants on eBay or other online marketplaces, target collectors and herbalists

• Skills needed: Gardening knowledge, understanding of plant laws and shipping regulations, patience

• Potential earnings: $75-$100+ per plant; potential for $500-$1000+ per month depending on production

• Additional info: Niche market, requires patience for plant growth, potential to expand into other rare or medicinal plants

Officiating weddings as an ordained minister

• What it is: Performing wedding ceremonies as a licensed officiant, including customizing vows and coordinating with couples

• How to make money: Advertise services to engaged couples, partner with wedding planners and venues

• Skills needed: Public speaking, organization, empathy, knowledge of marriage laws and paperwork

• Potential earnings: $100-$500+ per wedding; potential for $1000-$3000+ per month during wedding season

• Additional info: Can be done on weekends, may require travel, opportunity to offer additional services like premarital counseling

Participating in online surveys and receipt/coupon apps

• What it is: Completing surveys or scanning receipts for market research companies and brands

• How to make money: Sign up for multiple survey sites and apps like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, or Fetch Rewards

• Skills needed: Basic computer skills, attention to detail, consistency in completing tasks

• Potential earnings: $100-$150 per week with consistent effort; potential for $400-$600+ per month

• Additional info: Can be done in spare time, requires minimal effort, potential to earn gift cards or products in addition to cash

Finding and fixing leaks in swimming pools

• What it is: Locating and repairing leaks in residential and commercial swimming pools

• How to make money: Advertise services to pool owners, partner with pool maintenance companies

• Skills needed: Knowledge of pool systems, problem-solving abilities, use of specialized leak detection equipment

• Potential earnings: $100-$500+ per job, depending on complexity; potential for $2000-$5000+ per month in peak season

• Additional info: Seasonal work in many areas, requires specialized equipment, opportunity to expand into general pool maintenance

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