10 of the weirdest ways people make extra money around the world

Weird and wonderful part-time and seasonal gigs

Forget filling out surveys, walking dogs, or washing cars. In some parts of the planet, workers supplement their incomes doing the wackiest things.

From guarding against polar bears and collecting crocodile eggs to shoving people on trains, these sidelines are anything but conventional. Some gigs even let you swap reality for fantasy, whether that means becoming a Christmas elf or diving into the role of a real-life mermaid.

Click or scroll on to explore 10 of the strangest ways people across the globe make extra money.

All dollar values in US dollars

China: Ken for hire

In China's major cities, some young men are earning extra cash as 'Kens,' hired companions who mix emotional support with practical, hands-on help. The role can include cooking, cleaning, running errands, and accompanying clients on shopping trips or social outings.

The gig overlaps with the rise of 'butler cafés,' where attractive male servers are paid by the hour to entertain, chat, and play games with customers. Sessions are said to cost around $60 an hour typically, with popular Kens boosting their income through tips and repeat bookings.

Norway: polar bear guard

On the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, some locals earn extra income as polar bear guards, trained lookouts who keep watch for roaming bears while tourists, photographers, and scientists explore the icy landscapes.

The role blends wildlife expertise with safety skills, using flares and noise to deter the animals before encounters turn dangerous. One local expedition operator lists hire rates of $52 an hour or $620 per day, giving a glimpse of what this high-risk side hustle is worth on the open market.

USA: mock juror

Over in America, some people turn a passion for true crime into cash by acting as mock jurors, giving honest feedback on real legal cases before they hit a courtroom. Jobs can be remote or in person, and lawyers pay for everyday opinions on everything from evidence to verdicts.

Pay varies a lot. Simple online case reviews often go for between $5 and $60, while more involved focus groups or full-blown mock trials can pay anywhere from $75 up to $700+ per session, depending on length and complexity.

Finland: Christmas elf

Ever dreamt of being one of Santa's little helpers? In Finnish Lapland, seasonal workers earn extra money by dressing as elves to guide tourists, entertain children, lead snowball fights, and keep festive schedules running at Santa villages and reindeer farms. 

The magic doesn't pay much, though. First-season elves typically earn around $12 an hour, making this side hustle more about spreading cheer than cashing in.

Brazil: mermaid/merman

Staying with mythical creatures, fantasy also meets freelance in Brazil, where performers slip into shimmering tails to work part-time as professional mermaids and mermen.

From aquarium shows to professional 'mermaiding' schools, the industry has flourished since 2017 when popular soap opera A Força do Querer put a spotlight on the craft. Today, these professional sirens are in high demand for events, photo shoots, and underwater performances across the country.

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UK: professional queuer

In Britain, where queuing is practically a sport, people can earn money by standing in line for others, whether they're after Wimbledon tickets, a new passport, or the latest Apple product.

Professional queuers advertise on platforms like TaskRabbit or Airtasker. One pro queuer interviewed by The Sun newspaper in 2022 said he could earn up to $220 per day.

USA and Canada: qiviut gatherer

In the Arctic spring, qiviut season begins as Indigenous gatherers, often the only people legally and culturally permitted to collect it, harvest the ultra-luxe underwool of musk oxen. The prized fiber is gathered from shrubs and rocks where animals shed, or combed from farmed animals and hides after subsistence hunts that use every part of the animal. 

Lighter, softer, warmer, and far more expensive than the finest cashmere, raw qiviut can fetch up to a staggering $80 an ounce, making this one seriously lucrative side hustle.

Australia: crocodile egg collector

In northern Australia's wet season, crocodile egg collectors are flown by helicopter into remote swamps to retrieve nests bound for licensed crocodile farms, where hatchlings are raised for conservation programs and the leather trade.

Certainly not for the faint-hearted, the perilous job means braving prime saltwater croc territory, grappling with intense heat, floods, and overly protective mamas. But the payoff can be very decent indeed, with a single egg reportedly selling for up to $45.

Japan: people pusher

In Japan's rush-hour crush, white-gloved 'oshiya' earn money by physically shoving commuters into already-packed train carriages so the doors can close. While the job is usually handled by regular station staff, students and part-time workers are sometimes hired during peak periods to help manage the crowds.

It can be a thankless task and the pay is pretty dismal: rates in Tokyo sit at around a modest $13 an hour, according to Salary Expert.

Spain: ham slicer

In Spain, slicing jamón is a major thing. Professional slicers are hired for weddings, fiestas and other high-profile events to shave paper-thin ribbons of Ibérico ham in front of a crowd. The craft takes years to master, requiring a surgeon's precision to navigate the bone.But the rates reflect the level of skill involved.

Elite carvers typically make up to $70 an hour and charge upwards of $600 per event.

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