13 Weird Ways to Make Money as a Guy: When it comes to issues like this, I’ve been in the money game long enough to know that the traditional 9-to-5 isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. And honestly?
Some of the most profitable ventures I’ve seen guys pull off are the ones that make people go, “Wait, you can actually make money doing that?”
I’ve consulted with entrepreneurs who’ve built six-figure businesses from the strangest niches imaginable. So let me share some genuinely weird—but legitimate—ways guys are stacking cash right now.
13 Weird Ways to Make Money as a Guy
1. Professional Cuddler
Yeah, I know how this sounds. But hear me out.
There’s an actual industry built around platonic cuddling, and guys who get into this space are making $80-200 per session. We’re talking about providing non-sexual, therapeutic touch to people dealing with loneliness, anxiety, or touch deprivation.
I met a guy named Marcus at a business conference who started doing this part-time. He went through certification with organizations like Cuddlist, built up reviews, and within six months was pulling in an extra $3,000 monthly. The demand is real—people are starving for human connection in our screen-obsessed world.
The key? Strong boundaries, professional demeanor, and understanding that you’re providing a legitimate wellness service. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re empathetic and comfortable with physical proximity, it’s surprisingly lucrative.
2. Earning Money from Your Sperm
This one’s been around forever, but most guys don’t realize how selective—and profitable—it actually is.
Sperm banks are incredibly picky. We’re talking Ivy League selective. You need to be healthy, educated (most require college degrees), between specific heights, and with clean medical histories. But if you make the cut? You’re looking at $1,000-1,500 per month for regular donations.
The catch is the time commitment. You’re going in 2-3 times weekly for at least six months. But I know a graduate student who essentially paid his way through his master’s degree this way. He treated it like a part-time job, and it covered his rent completely.
It’s weird, sure. But you’re literally helping families while getting paid. The screening process is rigorous, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t qualify—most applicants don’t.
3. Renting Out Your Muscles (Task-Based Labor Apps)
This isn’t just about moving furniture. I’m talking about hyper-specific physical tasks that people will pay premium rates for.
I’ve watched guys build entire businesses around being “the guy who assembles IKEA furniture.” One entrepreneur I advised started on TaskRabbit doing basic assembly work, then specialized exclusively in complex furniture, home gyms, and play structures. He now charges $85/hour and stays booked three weeks out.
Others are making bank doing things like:
- Holiday light installation (seasonal, but $200-500 per house)
- Hot tub moving and installation
- TV mounting and home theater setup
- Shed and outdoor structure assembly
The weird part? People will pay 3x what you’d expect just to avoid reading the instruction manual themselves. Your muscles aren’t just for the gym—they’re a revenue stream.
4. Selling Your Hair
If you’ve got long, healthy hair, there’s a market for it. And I’m not talking chump change.
Virgin hair (never dyed or chemically treated) can fetch $500-4,000 depending on length, thickness, and color. Blonde and red hair command premium prices. I know a guy who grew his hair for three years specifically to sell it, then used the $2,800 to fund his first dropshipping inventory.
The marketplace has gone online—sites like HairSellon and BuyAndSellHair connect sellers with wig makers and hair extension companies. You’ll need at least 10 inches to sell, and the longer and healthier it is, the more you’ll make.
Weird? Absolutely. But it’s literally turning something you’re growing anyway into cold, hard cash.
5. Professional Bridesmaid/Groomsman for Hire
This industry exploded over the past few years, and guys are finally catching on.
People hire professional groomsmen for weddings when they need to balance out the wedding party, don’t have enough friends, or just want experienced people who know how to handle wedding drama. You’re getting paid $300-2,000 per wedding to show up, look good in a suit, and keep things running smoothly.
One entrepreneur I know built an entire agency around this. He recruits personable guys, trains them on wedding etiquette, and books them for weddings. His cut is 30%, and his contractors are working 2-3 weddings per month during peak season.
You need to be socially smooth, drama-free, and genuinely enjoy celebrations. But if you can rock a tux and make small talk with Aunt Mildred, this is a surprisingly steady income.
6. Smelling Products for Money
Companies need noses. Literally.
Fragrance testing, product sniffing, and sensory evaluation are real jobs. Deodorant companies, perfume brands, and even food manufacturers hire people to smell their products and provide feedback. You can make $20-50 per hour, and some specialized sensory evaluators pull in six figures annually.
The catch? You can’t smoke, you need to avoid strong scents, and you have to have a genuinely good sense of smell. But companies like Sensory Spectrum and research firms regularly recruit for these positions.
I advised a client who started doing this on the side through a local market research firm. He’d go in twice a month, smell various products for 2-3 hours, and walk out with $300. Over a year, that’s an extra $7,200 for literally sniffing things.
7. Practicing Your Hangover for Science
Medical research facilities pay guys to participate in alcohol studies. You’re drinking controlled amounts, staying overnight in a facility, and letting researchers study the effects. Compensation ranges from $500-3,000 per study, depending on duration.
I know this sounds like a college student’s dream, but it’s legitimate medical research. These studies help develop hangover cures, understand alcohol metabolism, and improve treatment for alcohol-related conditions.
The requirements are strict—specific age ranges, health markers, and you’re monitored the entire time. But for guys who’d drink on a weekend anyway, doing it in a controlled environment while getting paid is definitely weird money.
8. Renting Your Car (When You’re Not Using It)
This goes beyond Turo. I’m talking about specialized rental scenarios that most guys never consider.
Music video shoots need specific cars. Film productions rent vehicles. Weddings need classic or luxury cars. I’ve seen guys with pristine vintage trucks make $500-800 for a single-day rental to a production company.
One entrepreneur I consulted with had a completely ordinary 1990s sedan that happened to be in perfect condition. Film and TV productions constantly needed “period correct” vehicles, and his car was working more than he was. He made $18,000 in one year just renting it out for shoots.
Even your daily driver can earn through platforms like Getaround or HyreCar (renting to rideshare drivers). The weird part is watching your car make money while you’re at your day job.
9. Professional Mourner
This is more common in certain cultures, but it’s expanding globally.
Professional mourners attend funerals to fill out the crowd, express grief, and create a more impactful ceremony. In some Asian markets, this is an established tradition. In Western markets, it’s emerging as families become smaller and more geographically dispersed.
Pay ranges from $50-200 per funeral, depending on the market and your role. Some guys specialize in this through event staffing agencies, while others work directly with funeral homes.
It requires emotional intelligence, respect for the deceased, and genuine empathy. But if you can provide comfort to grieving families while honoring someone’s memory, it’s meaningful work with weird income potential.
10. Selling Feet Pictures
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Yes, guys can do this too.
The market for male feet content is smaller than for women, but it absolutely exists. Guys with athletic builds, well-maintained feet, or who fit specific aesthetics can make $5-50 per photo, with top sellers making $500-2,000 monthly.
Platforms like FeetFinder, OnlyFans, and even Instagram serve as marketplaces. The key is building a following and understanding your niche—whether that’s athletic feet, dress shoe content, or specific poses.
I know guys who think this is too weird to consider, but I also know a personal trainer who used feet content income to fund his gym equipment purchases. He kept his face out of photos, maintained strict boundaries, and treated it like any other side hustle. Your call is entirely, but the market exists.
11. Becoming a Professional Line Sitter
In cities like New York, DC, and San Francisco, people pay others to wait in line for them. Product launches, restaurant reservations, government offices, event tickets—if there’s a line, someone will pay to skip it.
Guys are making $25-50 per hour just sitting and waiting. During major product launches (think new iPhones or limited sneaker drops), rates jump to $100+ per hour. Some entrepreneurs have built entire line-sitting agencies, hiring teams, and taking corporate contracts.
The strategy is positioning yourself near popular venues, building relationships with businesses that might need line-sitters, and being reliable. It’s weird, mind-numbing work, but it’s cash for literally just existing in a specific location.
12. Renting Out Your Friendship
Platforms like RentAFriend let you monetize your social time. People hire friends for events, to explore new cities, to have someone to talk to, or to participate in hobbies.
I’ve seen guys charge $20-100 per hour depending on the activity and market. One client of mine was really into board games and rented himself out as a gaming partner. He’d meet clients at cafes or game stores, play for 2-3 hours, and get paid for essentially doing his hobby.
Others rent themselves out as:
- Concert/event buddies
- Hiking or workout partners
- Restaurant companions for people new to town
- Activity partners for specific hobbies
The boundaries are clear—this is platonic friendship, nothing romantic or inappropriate. But for extroverted guys who enjoy meeting people, it’s a weird way to get paid for being social.
13. Professional Sleeper
Hotels, mattress companies, and sleep research facilities hire people to sleep and provide feedback. You’re testing bedding, evaluating sleep environments, or participating in sleep studies.
The pay varies wildly. Sleep studies can pay $1,000-5,000 for multi-night sessions. Mattress testers might make $3,000-6,000 monthly. NASA has even paid people $18,000 to stay in bed for 70 days straight for research.
A guy I know got into sleep research through a local university. He participates in 3-4 studies yearly, making an extra $8,000-12,000 just for sleeping in controlled environments. They monitor his sleep patterns, test different conditions, and he wakes up richer.
The weird part is explaining to people that you literally get paid to sleep.
The Reality Check
Here’s what I’ve learned from years of watching guys pursue weird income streams: the money is real, but it’s not magic.
Every single one of these requires you to:
- Show up consistently
- Treat it professionally
- Manage boundaries
- Actually deliver value
The guys making serious money from weird hustles approach them like real businesses. They market themselves, build reputations, and scale when possible.
The ones who fail treat these like jokes or easy money. They don’t.
I’ve also noticed something interesting: the guys who succeed with weird income streams tend to combine multiple sources. They’re not just renting their car—they’re also doing task-based labor on weekends and participating in research studies monthly. It’s diversification applied to a strange income.
Getting Started
If any of these resonated with you, here’s my advice:
Start with one. Pick the weird money-maker that feels most aligned with your situation, skills, or assets. Don’t try to do everything.
Research thoroughly. Every one of these has legitimate platforms, companies, or marketplaces. Find the reputable ones. Check reviews. Understand the requirements.
Test it. Give it 30-90 days of genuine effort. Track your earnings. See if it fits your life and goals.
Scale or move on. If it works, double down. If it doesn’t, try another. The beauty of weird income is that there are countless options.
The traditional career path works great for some guys. But for others, stacking weird income streams creates more freedom, flexibility, and honestly—more interesting stories—than any corporate job ever could.
I’ve seen guys replace full-time incomes by combining three or four of these strange hustles. I’ve watched others use weird side money to fund business launches, pay off debt, or build investment portfolios.
The money is out there. It’s just in places most people are too conventional—or too embarrassed—to look.
Your move.
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