Now that I have your attention, I’ll tell you the good news and the bad news.
The good news is that you can sell your body parts or the use of your body and make some serious extra cash, and do so in perfectly legal ways.
The bad news is that you might only qualify for a couple of the methods listed below.
And sadly, it seems that our bodies are not all equal in terms of how other people value them…
Hair
People with hair loss issues often seek wigs made of real human hair instead of synthetic hair. Hair that is long and has not been altered by salon processes (aka “virgin hair”) is the most sought after and fetches the highest price. According to BBC, one 12-year-old girl from Brazil was poised to sell five feet of hair for around $5,000 dollars.
Breast Milk
If a woman finds that she is producing insane amounts of breast milk, she shouldn’t let that precious leche go to waste and should instead put those mammaries to work. Breast milk is perfectly legal to sell in the United States and a month’s supply of the good stuff can net anywhere from $300-1200.
Sperm
Most people already know that sperm donation can bring in some extra cash, but just how much exactly? According to one of the best sperm bank facilities in the country, California Cryobank, a man can earn up to $1,500 per month once he qualifies to become a sperm donor. Approved donors must make a donation at least once a week, usually for a period of up to a year.
Platelets
Platelets are blood cells that help control and stop bleeding by forming scabs when you are injured. Again, it’s different from simply donating blood but like donating plasma, platelets regenerate quickly meaning you can donate often. Compensation depends on your weight and how frequently you donate. You can expect anywhere from $20-35.
Eggs
A woman can bring home a lot of money if she is willing to sell her eggs. Egg donation is a much more lengthy and intrusive process than sperm donation, which is why the earnings are exponentially greater. The Center for Human Reproduction reports that for the typical egg retrieval cycle, which takes three to four weeks, a woman is compensated $8,000. Earnings could be greater depending on the donor.
The womb
Becoming a surrogate for another woman is an extremely emotionally and physically taxing job, but because of that, it essentially comes with its own salary. In California, the legal base pay for a first-time surrogate is $50,000 dollars as well as compensation for any other incurred expenses.
Bone marrow
bone marrow donations can be life-saving. However, because the process of donating bone marrow is lengthier and a bit more arduous, compensation can vary anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
