1001 Ways to Make Money If You Dare (90 page)

555 CHARGE TO TELL WHAT'S HIP.
It's crazy what some people will subscribe to — and it's crazy not to cash in on their stupidity. If you think you have a good idea as to what's going to be the next big band on the scene, charge people monthly to get CD updates of what they should be listening to. Make sure the subscription costs cover the price of buying the single, blank CDs, and mailing.

$ $ tried it

556 BUY WHOLESALE AND SELL.
Bust out your B.J.'s, Costco, or Sam's Club card and go shopping. You don't need fifty rolls of two-ply toilet paper, so keep what you need and sell the rest.

$ $ tried it

557 SELL STUFF FROM ABROAD.
Your recent trip around the world resulted in buying useless souvenirs. Fortunately for you, there are suckers out there who will buy this crap just because it's from another country. Mix in a few foreign words and some local flair and you're good.

$ $ tried it

558 SEND AMERICAN PRODUCTS TO EX-PATS.
As more and more students travel abroad and graduates take jobs in foreign countries, you can capitalize on their homesickness by starting a service that sends over their favorite things they can't find in their new foreign land. You wouldn't believe what people would pay to receive a package of American peanut butter and Dunkin' Donuts coffee overseas. Just be on top of the whole “customs” thing.

$ $ tried it

559 ACT AS A DISASTER planner.
No one wants to think about catastrophic things happening. That's where you come in. Hit up places where you can prey on busy moms' love for their families, but lack of time — like soccer fields, dance rehearsals, and fast food joints. Advertise your preparedness services (from preparing first-aid kits to turning their basement into a bomb shelter).

$ $ tried it

560 BE A MAGIC 8-BALL — VIA TEXT.
Get yourself a prepaid phone (you could use your own number if you feel like getting prank calls); put together a catchy ad and post it wherever teenage girls flock; take a monthly fee by way of PayPal; and start responding to questions sent in by text message from those who've paid the price.
Wallá!
You're a cell-phone 8-Ball. Will this actually make you money?
Ask again later
.

$ tried it

10

Mind Your Business