2-Sell Your Body

You probably already know that you can donate blood, but many clinics will pay you for those donations to the tune of $30-40 each, and some will allow you to donate twice a week (but not so frequently that you become a regular face). You'll have to provide some medical history and information to qualify, but if you do, it's good cash for a good deed. You can also sell your hair. It may sound strange, but natural wigs and weaves all come from somewhere. Sites like Hairwork and Online Hair Affair both specialize in hair auctions. You can also list your hair on eBay. Watch out for scams (since much of the human hair trade involves poorly-paid "donors" from third world countries), and follow these tips from Wise Bread to get the most money for your locks. Remember, if you'd rather donate, Locks of Love will always take your hair, too. Jokes aside, eggs and sperm will net you a tidy bit of money as well. Donated eggs can earn upwards of $1500 per donation (approx 10-15 eggs). Don't be fooled though—the process is intensive, uncomfortable, and requires several visits to a clinic to complete. You'll be screened, tested, and then the process itself takes place in an operating room. This Wikipedia article and this FAQ from Johns Hopkins both do a great job of explaining the process. Men have it a little easier, but the returns are lower. Sperm donations can net you between $50 and $200 per donation, depending on your health, age, ethnicity, and personal background. Similarly, candidates are tested and screened, so be warned: You don't just walk into a sperm bank and offer to make a donation—most are screened out long before they're given a cup to fill, and even that donation is actually part of a months-long process. Monetize Something You Already Do for Fun Perhaps the most low-effort way to make money is to monetize something you already do. That way you don't add more to your plate. If you enjoy shopping, for example, consider becoming a mystery shopper, or someone paid to shop in retail stores and report on the service you received and your experience in the store. It's an industry rife with scams, but real mystery shoppers do exist, and there's even a professional association you can join and get certified with to get access to legitimate listings. Competition can be fierce and sometimes you have to pay up and then be reimbursed for the things you buy and your time, but there are success stories. If you love photography, you can sell or license your photos. Flickr makes it easy to license through Getty Images, or you can sign up with a stock photo site like Shutterstock or iStockPhoto and sell your photos there. If you're the crafty type, Etsy is still a great place to set up shop and sell the things you make, whether you knit hats for cats or you have a special spice blend that all of your friends beg you to make. Love listening to music? Slicethepie will pay you (not much, but still) to listen to review new music. Again, competition on all of these services can be fierce, but once you're set up, you're good to go.