1001 Ways to Make Money If You Dare (89 page)

549 SELL WEDDING VOWS.
These days, a lot of people are ditching traditional vows for their own personal take on “til death do us part.” That leaves a whole lot of grooms looking for help. If you have writing credentials, submit your resume to wedding planners and event venues, offering your services as a “vow consultant.” Charge per word and think of lots of ways to say, “I love you,” without ever meeting the intended recipient.

$ tried it

550 START A BABY-NAMING BUSINESS.
This isn't just another start-up. You actually have to have the persuasive skills to convince parents-to-be to let you name their babies. Just being “creative” won't cut it — you need to be
dynamic
. (And if you're smooth enough to convince them to do entry 192, you could make a few side dollars from willing companies.)

$ $ $ tried it

551 WORK AS AN EFFICIENCY OPTIMIZER.
Ever heard of an efficiency optimizer as a career choice? Neither did we until we came up with this entry. However, people will pay to make their lives run smoother, cheaper, and better. That's where you come in. Advertise that you'll follow your subject around, take notes on their everyday habits and happenings, and then offer
dynamic
(there's that word again) ways on how they can stop wasting time and money.

$ $ $ tried it

552 WORK AS A “PSYCHOLOGY EXPERT.”
It takes a lot of school (i.e., a lot of money) to become a licensed psychologist. But by marketing yourself as a psychology expert, you can be a psychology consultant for people writing articles, for news reports, and even reality television shows (since most real psychologists won't go near those shows). Be careful with this one — it's illegal to misrepresent yourself as a doctor.

$ $ $ tried it

553 GIVE PAST-LIFE READINGS.
A quarter of all Americans believe in reincarnation. A quarter of all Americans are also obese. Coincidence? Yes. But you can capitalize on the reincarnation folks by offering your services as a “past-life” specialist. Open with, “Who do you think you were in a past life?” Then, during your reading, inform your client that their intuition was right.

$ $ tried it

554 SELL BOOTLEG CONCERT SHIRTS.
Okay, so technically you're not supposed to sell “official” band memorabilia without a license. So call your T-shirts unofficial and sell them outside concerts. Since the ones sold inside the venue cost up to $75, your $20 knockoff will look like a bargain.

$ $ tried it