An online user asked, “What is the dumbest way you’ve ever made money?” The resulting responses were nothing short of astonishing. Participants shared various bizarre and unexpected anecdotes about their unconventional money-making endeavors. From odd jobs to quirky schemes, the emerging stories provided a fascinating glimpse into the creative and sometimes peculiar ways people have earned a buck. The thread became a captivating exploration of the extraordinary and occasionally whimsical facets of human resourcefulness.
The Dollar
Several years ago, when they were around 10 in post-communist Hungary, an American gentleman approached them, inquiring about directions. In an unexpected twist, the kind stranger handed them a one-dollar bill as a token of their assistance. At that moment, they couldn’t help but feel like they had struck the jackpot. That cherished one-dollar bill remains in their possession as a poignant keepsake of that memorable encounter.
“I had someone in Puerto Rico give me directions even though I didn’t inquire about needing it and then asked for money,” laughed one commenter.
Mathematical
While tutoring a young student in mathematics, it became evident that the child possessed a far greater aptitude for math than their mother had initially believed. Surprisingly, the student consistently excelled in tests and quizzes, yet their reluctance to complete homework assignments resulted in a mere C grade. The mother paid the tutor $20 per hour primarily to ensure the completion of homework, a task that took a mere 5 minutes. The remaining 55 minutes often evolved into video game sessions, with occasional interruptions by the mother. The tutor felt conflicted about accepting the money, but as a financially struggling college student, $20 remained a welcome source of income.
“Hey, if the kid got a good grade, you gave the mom what she paid for. The kid probably has great memories from that, and who knows, maybe they learned to do homework first, which is a good lesson,” added one user on the thread.
Dungeons and Dragons
Securing a position as a ‘fantasy model with long flowing hair,’ they found themselves modeling for B-grade American fantasy novels. The compensation was decent, though not particularly generous. Regrettably, they had signed away their rights, resulting in sporadic appearances as characters on horseback or casting mystical spells. One day, they appeared on a book cover alongside another woman, leading their girlfriend to exclaim, ‘Who the hell is that?!’ The explanation? Good old Photoshop. Their curiosity led them to attempt reading one of the novels, only to begin with the somewhat disheartening line, ‘He was not traditionally handsome.’ Ouch.
“I’d collect the books if I were you. Show them off to your friends and family!” one excited user replied.
Sample Selling
On a job site, they found themselves in a peculiar situation where some individuals, aware of upcoming drug tests, approached them to purchase their urine. In an unexpected turn, they agreed to sell their urine to these individuals. This unconventional transaction raised ethical concerns and questions about their choices.
“I never said it would pass,” joked one user.
The Parrot Stories
A fellow online user shared a heartwarming anecdote about their childhood experience. At age 10, they dedicated their time to reading books to their neighbor’s depressed parrot, who apparently needed companionship. Despite their young age, they found immense satisfaction in this unique and compassionate task, relishing the opportunity to provide solace to the feathered friend.
“Maybe that was an elaborate plot by your parents to get you to read more?” asked one person on the thread.
Play To Pay
Approximately a decade ago, they delved into mobile app games, specifically one reminiscent of Clash of Clans. The “pay to win” model hadn’t yet overshadowed the experience. Over a year, they honed their skills and even climbed the ranks to join one of the top clans. However, the intrusive “pay to win” aspect tarnished the game’s enjoyment as time passed. Sensing the impending decline in gameplay quality, they decided to retire.
Having never invested any money into the game, they learned about a trend among high-spending players who sold their accounts upon quitting to recoup their expenditures. While their account was at a lower level, they saw an opportunity. With no urgency to sell, they started with an ambitious asking price of $500 on a third-party platform. Astonishingly, within just 12 hours, a prospective buyer offered $350 as a counteroffer, which they gladly accepted. To this day, they remain in disbelief that they not only had a year of enjoyable gaming for free but also managed to sell their account for a handsome sum of $350.
“I sold an account on a game one for like $150. I was selling it because it was clear the game wouldn’t be up much longer. 6 months later, the game servers were killed,” explained a user.
The Good Conversion Rate
A forum user shared a noteworthy financial anecdote from the 1990s. With some extra funds at their disposal and the British Government’s efforts to maintain the Pound’s value against the US Dollar, they decided to take action. In a matter of weeks, they converted their money into US Dollars and then back into Pounds, resulting in a £10,000 profit without any significant effort on their part. However, in the grand scheme of things, they acknowledged that their gain paled in comparison to George Soros, who famously earned a staggering $1 billion from a similar currency play during that time.
“I did the same with the Turkish lira right before and after Erdogan’s re-election. No way he will not get re-elected. There is no way he will change his monetary policy. Easy cash almost overnight,” added a user on the same thread.
New Truck for $20
On one fateful day, their truck met with an accident on the freeway due to a faulty road (fortunately, they received a substantial payout, so no need for concern). Shaken and bewildered, they pulled over onto the grassy shoulder. Stepping out, their legs trembling, they spotted an unexpected sight: a fresh, crisp $20 bill just lying there. It seemed surreal, but they took it as a positive omen. Remarkably, their insurance company made an inexplicable overpayment, providing them with a superior replacement truck and an extra $20. It felt like a fortunate yet inexplicable turn of events – a bit foolish, yet undeniably effective.
“What did you spend the 20 dollars on?” asked one user.
An Unusual Shave
They engaged in a rather unconventional venture in response to a Craigslist advertisement. A gentleman offered to shave their head and record the process, promising compensation of $600 in return for their participation.
One user explained their story, “My friend received $200-300 donations to shave her head in 8th grade. The proceeds went to her mother with cancer. The mother was surprised to see her daughter’s new hair and mentioned how self-conscious her chemo head made her that morning.”
The Offer Error
Their offer letter contained an error: they had requested a one-time sign-on bonus as they were leaving their position at their previous job. HR initially agreed but inadvertently added the amount to their annual salary instead. They remained silent about the mistake. Two years later, during an audit, the error was discovered. Surprisingly, the CEO decided they were still worth the amount despite a raise the previous year. They were not required to repay it due to the HR oversight, and their job performance further justified the situation.
“I had a similar thing happen at my first real job. I didn’t really know what was happening. Still, I was pleasantly surprised when my take-home pay was higher than anticipated. About 6 months into working there, it turned out that they were paying me at a rate about $5,000 per year higher than what I was supposed to get. I almost cried when the HR lady told me they would have to take it out of my future checks because I was living paycheck to paycheck. Then the CEO came to me and said it was their mistake and I could keep it. He said my boss thought I was doing a great job, and they would just continue it,” added their story.
The Long Term Payout
Approximately 12 years ago, they invested an hour in creating a straightforward t-shirt design, which they subsequently uploaded to CafePress. Remarkably, even now, they continue to receive modest payments, typically ranging between $100 and $150 a few times annually. While not substantial, each check brings a delightful and unexpected sense of satisfaction.
“I did that with my design based on nothing, and a giant company tried to copyright claim it. Cash flow was fun for a while,” explained one person.
An Accidental Voice Over
During their tenure at a recording studio, an intriguing opportunity unfolded. An engineer was grappling with a radio commercial that required a dialogue between a voiceover artist and a whistling bird. Despite trying various sound effects, nothing seemed to click. In a casual conversation, the engineer confided in them about the challenge. Being skilled whistlers, they decided to mimic the bird’s sound, and it left the engineer astounded. They were promptly invited into the recording session to demonstrate their talent. That impromptu audition led to a job offer on the spot. Their whistling skills were utilized in a single commercial: a union gig. They signed a contract for the day and earned approximately $800. However, the unexpected windfall came in the form of residual checks, which continued for several years, ultimately totaling around $3,000.
A user said, “Remember, kids, the two biggest takeaways from this are, one, having a random skill that isn’t necessarily related to your job is super useful, and two, a highly unionized industry works out much better for you.”
Plowing
Engaging in the task of shoveling snow may not seem remarkable, but a unique experience unfolded during their childhood. At their grandma’s house, they stumbled upon a specially curved shovel that, when handled correctly, allowed them to move snow in a manner reminiscent of a snowplow effortlessly. At just 6 or 7 years old, they found this quite exhilarating and began clearing the sidewalks around their grandma’s neighborhood, emulating the big snowplows they admired. To their surprise, as they worked diligently, neighbors started coming out of their houses, expressing appreciation, and even offering monetary rewards.
A user on the platform said, “Straight up, shoveling snow as a Southerner, I’ve never had more fun working. Learned quickly how to move and shovel snow efficiently and fast without sweating in sub-20 temps. I love hard work when I don’t have to sweat.”
The Mysterious Package
Once, an acquaintance made a request that raised eyebrows: they asked them to transport a bag to Oklahoma City and bring back another. They understood the task’s nature but didn’t only dwell on it a little. Upon their return, the acquaintance handed them an envelope containing $5,000 in cash. They still need to learn about the bag’s contents or the sum they retrieved. Sometime later, the acquaintance faced legal troubles and ended up serving a significant portion of a 50-year sentence for distribution, serving 15 years behind bars.
“So here in Atlanta, we have Dragon Con every year over Labor Day weekend, a huge pop culture convention attended by 80,000+ people from all over. Saw some ads on associated Facebook groups from people who were willing to pay for others to drive sealed boxes from wherever to Atlanta. Seeing how many people were willing to help. Was amazing. They were assuming the boxes contained costumes or whatever. Call me cynical, but I wouldn’t make that assumption,” told one user.
The Candy Splurge
Online, an individual shared an incident from their past. When they were around 12 years old, a person accidentally struck their friend with a car while they were crossing the sidewalk in front of a 7-11 store. Fortunately, their friend escaped severe injury, sustaining only a later-developing bruise. To prevent any trouble, the driver offered each of them $20 to keep quiet about the incident. With their newfound windfall, they indulged in a candy shopping spree, acquiring an abundance of sweets.
“Were you waiting for McLovin to leave the liquor store?” Asked one user.
The Wrong Job
A forum user recounted an unexpected turn of events during a job interview. Upon arriving at the office, they were handed a pass, assigned a desk, and granted access to a laptop and archives. Throughout their time there, the staff addressed them by name, leading them to believe they were meant to be there. They diligently indexed and digitized old documents for a couple of weeks as part of the job. However, the shocker came when their temporary contract ended: During the departure process, they asked how to spell a random surname for a paycheck. It dawned on everyone that they had hired the wrong person and had mistakenly been given the job they never officially accepted. It was an easy but peculiar way to earn some income.
“That’s crazy! This story is hilarious!” said one online user.
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