Nine wacky ways to make money!
Need some extra cash? Then check out these nine original ways to make money!
Following on from our popular article on the 18 stingiest ways to save money, I thought it was time to hunt out some unusual ways to make money. So here goes:
1) Deposit hunting
lovemoney.com reader MikeGG1 provided the inspiration for this one.
At the tender age of five, his son used to boost his pocket money on a campsite in France by collecting everything around the site that came with a deposit. He would then return these items to the camp shop to collect the deposit money.
Believe it or not, this can be a great little earner - not only at campsites but also at festivals. Many festivals now require you to pay a small deposit for your plastic cup when you're buying a drink, and if you don't return it you don't get your deposit back.
So as well as returning your own, be sure to return any others you find and pocket the extra cash! You'll be amazed at how quickly it can all add up!
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2) Become a model
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See the guideModelling doesn't just have to mean walking down the catwalk. In fact, if your hands and feet are in pretty good shape, hand and foot modelling is a great way of earning some extra cash.
Have a browse on websites such as Hand Models 1 and Derek's Hands for further information - just be warned that if you have any scars/moles/skin conditions, you'll probably be turned away.
Alternatively, if you're brave enough, you could sign up to become a life model - but you'll need to be willing to get your kit off! You can usually earn around £10-15 per hour, although rates vary.
If you fancy giving it a go, contact your local art college or keep an eye out for adverts in shop windows. It's also worth checking out The Register of Artists' Models.
3) Become a courier
If you have your own car, Stuff2send.com is a nifty little website that allows you to register as a courier and get paid to drop off someone's stuff. It's completely free to join.
All you have to do is wait for someone to advertise something that needs delivering (usually around your area) - such as furniture, a parcel, or a lawnmower. You can then volunteer to make the delivery for a chosen fee.
Once you and the sender have agreed the fee, you can arrange the delivery details and away you go.
4) Drive a rickshaw
If you don't fancy delivering items, how about delivering people?
Sign up to Bugbugs.com and you can learn how to become a rickshaw/bug/pedicab driver! As long as you are over 18 years of age and physically fit, are fluent in English, are legally allowed to live and work in the UK and be self-employed, and are proficient in the Highway Code, you can sign up.
You'll have to pay out £50 in total for your training, but you get to keep everything you earn when you become a driver - so you should easily get your money back.
5) Sell your skills
Jobsgrapevine.com is a great little website for selling your skills.
If you're a fabulous ironer, love to babysit, or just can't get enough of cleaning, you can advertise your skills on the site and wait for the offers to come flooding in.
The website also allows people to advertise when they need a job doing, so it's worth having a browse to see whether there's a task you'd be willing to sign up for. And the best bit is that using the website is absolutely free!
Ed Bowsher investigates great ways to save and earn some extra money!
6) Take part in clinical trials
This won't be for everyone, but if you're prepared to take part in clinical trials, you can earn around £120 a day!
These trials usually examine how long it takes for your body to absorb and get rid of a particular medicine, how the medicine interacts with food and other medication, and how much can be taken without any undesirable side effects.
You'll need to be prepared to have a blood test and urine sample, and in some cases, studies can go on for several weeks. If you'd like to take part, have a look at trials4us.co.uk.
7) Help out at ID parades
Certain police forces still do traditional identity parades (ID parades) and line-ups. A group of people who look similar stand in line and are given a number, while a witness tries to identify the person suspected of committing a crime.
ID parades usually only take a couple of hours, and you'll typically earn around £10-15 for the first hour, and around £5 per hour after that - although this will vary.
Some police forces have now introduced video line-ups but you can still earn around £10 for being filmed. If you're interested, it's worth contacting your local police station.
8) Turn your home into a film set!
Why not register your property with an agency such as Amazing Space or film-locations.co.uk to see whether your home could be used in a film or TV show?
The more interesting or unusual your property is, the more likely it will be selected.
If you get accepted, you could earn anything from £400 to £5,000 per day, depending on the size of the production.
9) Sell your hair
If you're prepared to sacrifice your hair, you could cut if off and sell it to a wig manufacturer. However, you'll need to make sure your hair is untreated by chemicals used in perms or dyes, and your hair should be clean and healthy. You're likely to get a better price if your hair is long.
It's worth contacting a wig seller before you make the cut, and advertise it well online, including plenty of photos and an accurate description.
So there you have it - nine truly wacky ways to earn yourself some extra cash! Good luck.... you might need it!
This is a classic article that has been updated for 2011.
More: 10 things you should never buy new | Seven ways to save money on your bank holiday break
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Hi everyone. Thanks for your comments. Please note though that I didn't say you should send your five year old out to collect plastic cups at festivals - the idea was inspired by someone who did something similar at the age of five. However, I simply meant that you yourself could do this if you were at a festival. thanks Rachel
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Yet again, people are arguing amongst themselves rather than putting something up productive... 1). I cannot even remember the last time any bottles carries a deposit, so for me, that's probably more than a waste of time trying to find them anyway. 2) The modelling thing, I think it is a pretty good idea, stereotype think of modelling as a person, but it's NOT just that, some only want a picture of your hands, feet, legs and maybe even torso. So if you can an agency that does just that, great stuff! 3) Courier, not a bad idea, but always double check on your insurance policy, because if you're not insure for it, then you can get into a lot of trouble with the law. I personally isn't an atlas, nor have a sat nav, and no sense of direction, so that sort of job I wouldn't even consider. 4) Rickshaw, never heard of them, but it sounds a little like a private hire/taxi type, again, no sense of direction, no good to me. 5) Sell your skill... Hmm.. undecided on that one, since I've self taught myself a lot of things, and people don't seem interested if you don't have any "paper" to show your skill, they're not interested. (and I HATE ironing) 6) Clinical trials, the incentive are brilliant, but you have to go through a lot of test first to make sure your "body" is compatible, if not, then you won't be asked to do any research, it is as simple as that. 7) ID parade, again, sounds interesting, and since it's not a every day occurance (or at least I hope not anyway) it's a hit and miss 8) Turning your house into a film set, I personally would feel an invasion, but I'm sure there are people that are quite willing to let people go through their house. 9) Sell your hair, okay, maybe this could take years for a good sale, but I don't see why it won't work once in a while either. Basically, I personally think all the above "earning" thing works if you are either out of work or a stay at home parent who has got free time (of a fashion) to do any of the above. I earn reasonable wage, and live well within my mean, I don't have any debt (just the usual) and if I have free time, I would try for at least one of them. But I definately will still stand by earning cash/points by doing surveys.
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CuNNaXXa - I dont care about others children as hard as it sounds - you have kids make sure it is with the right person, so many now.. know someone for 3 months and then fall pregnant, I cant be paying taxes for scum - sorry harsh as it sounds, good luck to you and I am done with this topic, many dont like the truth - have a nice easter :)
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26 April 2011