Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you decide to buy a product or service we recommend.
People have taken extraordinary measures to pursue money in the face of struggle. It’s easy to judge others for ethical and legal boundaries. However, we don’t know what to do in the same scenario. Here are a few instances where money became people’s driving force behind desperate actions.
Drink from Plastic Cup
One user claimed he drank bad-tasting beer for “market research.” The strange part was that each beer progressively tasted worse.
When someone busted out in laughter, he knew something was off. At least he got paid, right?
“They kept bringing more out until one guy cracked, swiped all his beers off the table, and stormed out yelling, ‘I wouldn’t even give this **** to my dog!’” the participant said.
Button Salesman
Imagine going door-to-door selling buttons you found lying in your house.
This was the reality of someone who needed money—most likely to buy food.
“I was poor growing up,” the poster said. “Really poor.
One time (around age 8 or 9), I collected a bunch of buttons (wherever I could find them around the house) and then hit the street, door to door, trying to sell them for a buck apiece. It took me three hours to make [$5].”
Flipping Garbage
One user claimed driving around a nice neighborhood and digging through people’s trash to find anything they could pawn.
If only Craigslist existed then, he could’ve found people giving away items for free.
Holding a Sign
Someone worked as a sign holder for a company in a city where the locals threw food at these workers.
As if being inside a hot costume wasn’t bad enough already.
No Sleep
Are you a night owl? Some companies pay people to not sleep.
A user recalls getting paid by a company that studied how people reacted to three days of no sleep.
He quickly discovered he couldn’t survive the three days.
Eating a Lot, Then a Little
“I joined a medical study that was researching the effects of severe weight gain and weight loss on bone marrow,” one person wrote.
“[It] involved 10 days of eating 6,000 calories a day and then 10 days of not eating anything. You had to stay in a hospital room the entire time.
Every day they took a bone marrow sample, which was decidedly not fun. [I made] $7,000 at the end of the 20 days!”
Surveys
Most of us are familiar with getting paid to complete surveys.
One user claimed to spend too much time on a study that only paid them $10. No thanks.
Dumpster Diving for Toys
“I have lots of memories of dumpster diving for presents during the holiday season,” someone said.
Scrambling for Anything
Someone had a date with no money to his name. He searched around his house for any change or cash with little luck.
He took the few coins and coupons he was able to find to the grocery store to cash out.
His date ended up splitting the bill with him, and the man was able to cover his portion.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
When a woman became unemployed, she quickly went to a local grocery store to buy king-sized candy.
She then went door to door selling this candy, claiming it was a fundraiser for a local church.
Although this pushed her out of her comfort zone, she made a good profit and could pay her rent that month.
Siblings and Widow Fight Over Inheritance of Childhood Home, but Deed Settles Dispute Once and For All
After the unfortunate loss of their father, a gripping family saga unfolds as three siblings find themselves entangled with conflicting desires over their family’s home. While certain siblings are determined to honor their father’s legacy by offering his widow a portion of the inheritance, others grapple with a profound dilemma.
He Receives Inheritance From Biological Mother but Also Feels Entitled to Stepmother’s Estate, Sparking Controversy
When a woman’s stepson inherits a windfall, she strives for what’s fair while planning her estate. But her husband’s disapproval sparks a thrilling twist, forcing her to question her choice.
Retired Couple Keeps Their Millions a Secret; After Needy Family Discovers Wealth Unwanted Financial Demands Follow
A couple worked tirelessly and embraced frugality to amass a substantial retirement nest egg. As they approached semi-retirement, they were confronted by financially irresponsible relatives seeking assistance.
She Buys Nephews’ Lottery Tickets for Fundraiser, After Hitting the Jackpot They Demand a Refund
When a woman and her boyfriend hit the jackpot in the Christmas lottery, jealously quickly forms. The boyfriend’s sister and her sons, who sold them the winning tickets, demand a slice of the windfall. This unexpected demand ignites a heated battle, leaving the couple with doubts about their decision.
She Buys Nephews’ Lottery Tickets for Fundraiser, After Hitting the Jackpot They Demand a Refund
Greedy Sister Snatches Largest Diamond Inheritance, but Has Meltdown Over Diamond’s Real Worth
Bound by love for their fashionable mother, two sisters face an unexpected divide when it’s time to distribute her inheritance. While both seemingly receive an equal share, one sister soon discovers a hidden truth that shatters their relationship.
Greedy Sister Snatches Largest Diamond Inheritance, but Has Meltdown Over Diamond’s Real Worth
