This Week’s Money Map:

• 🤑 Flush with cash: Surprising ways to turn waste into dollars

• 💊 How to cut your prescription costs with Cost Plus Drugs

• 💰 What the finance?!: The truth behind those flashy 'get rich quick' videos

• 💳 Two new limited-time credit card bonuses

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 🤑 Flush with cash: Surprising ways to turn waste into dollars

OK, I hesitated putting this into the newsletter, but I have to share. Grab your reading material and get comfy — we're about to talk about how your daily toilet deposits could turn into dollars.

Get paid for your poop
Yes, you can sell your poop. Medical researchers use healthy stool samples to treat gut diseases. You can realistically make $25 to $100 per sample donation, maybe up to $500 per donation for young donors with high levels of gut microbiome. 

A handful of companies are doing this, including GoodNature and Human Microbes. They provide all collection materials for a smooth transaction. However, they won’t take just anybody’s BMs — donors actually have to pass some pretty rigorous screening requirements. 

Beyond the bathroom, here are other weird ways you can help science and make money:

Sleep Studies ($100–300/night): Get paid to snooze while researchers study your brain waves. Finally, your talent for sleeping through your alarm can pay dividends!
Medical Research ($50–300/day): From testing new allergy medications to participating in psychology studies, your body and brain could earn you cash. Just read the fine print — nobody wants to accidentally sign up for a zombie virus trial!
Plasma Donation ($25–50 per donation): Your blood's liquid gold can help save lives. Plus, you get paid to sit in a comfy chair watching Netflix. Win-win! 
Hair Donation ($100–1,000): If you have long, untreated hair, someone wants it. Unlike other bodily donations, this one won’t take a lot of your time.
 
You may not get rich overnight, but these legitimate side hustles can pad your wallet while advancing medical research. They also make excellent dinner party conversation starters: "So, what have you been up to?" "Oh, you know, just saving lives with my poop."

💊 How to cut your prescription costs with Cost Plus Drugs

Prescription prices got you rethinking your doctor’s orders? You’re not alone. Millions of Americans struggle with the high cost of medication, often forced to choose between health and groceries. Enter Cost Plus Drugs, a solution that offers transparent pricing and massive savings.

Founded by Mark Cuban and Alex Oshmyansky, MD, PhD, Cost Plus Drugs eliminates the middlemen that inflate medication prices. Instead, it offers drugs at wholesale prices, adding just a 15% markup, a small pharmacy fee, and shipping. The result? Medications that are often 40–80% cheaper than what you'd pay elsewhere.

The truth behind drug pricing
Contrary to popular belief, Big Pharma isn't necessarily the primary villain in high drug prices. The real culprits are often the pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) — middlemen who can mark up drug prices to staggering amounts. For example, a medication that manufacturers sell for $20 to $30 might cost patients 60–70% more after PBM markups. These companies operate in an opaque system that creates enormous profit opportunities through hidden price negotiations.

How to use Cost Plus Drugs
The process is straightforward: create a free account on CostPlusDrugs.com, search for your medication, and have your doctor send your prescription electronically. Once your prescription is filled, you'll see the total cost — no surprise fees. Shipping is typically $5. Although insurance isn't needed, it can be used for eligible purchases.

Whether you're uninsured or your copays are sky-high, Cost Plus Drugs offers relief. Its transparent pricing model often beats what insurance companies negotiate, making it an attractive option for everyone, from gig workers to salaried employees.

💰 What the finance?!: The reality behind those flashy 'get rich quick' videos

Have you seen those TikTok millionaires flaunting Lamborghinis and promising you can make $50,000 a month by following their "proven system"? Let's talk about what's happening behind those perfectly edited videos.

These influencers often create pressure to act quickly, claiming you'll miss out on "life-changing opportunities." They share incredible success stories with near 100% success rates. But they don't show the years of learning, multiple failures, and substantial starting capital.

Spot the red flags
Pay attention when these "gurus" show off luxury items more than explain their business model. And be wary when they pressure you to act fast before the "opportunity disappears." If they promise minimal effort for maximum returns, that's another warning sign. Often, their primary income comes from selling courses about making money, not from the methods they're teaching. Perhaps most suspicious is when they claim their method works for anyone, regardless of experience or circumstances.

The uncomfortable truth
The success stories in these videos often have hidden chapters. Many started with significant family money or connections. Some spent years learning their craft before seeing any profit. Most failed multiple times before succeeding. They typically work much harder than their poolside Instagram stories suggest. And here's the kicker: most have numerous revenue streams beyond what they're selling you in their courses.

Instead of chasing get-rich-quick schemes, invest time learning high-demand skills in your industry. Consider taking on steady side work that builds on your existing expertise. 

Finding legitimate content
Not all financial content creators are selling snake oil. The good ones admit when something is complicated instead of oversimplifying. They explain risks clearly and share both their successes and failures. You'll notice they never promise overnight results, and they provide plenty of free, actionable advice before trying to sell anything.

Success takes time and effort, and is usually not Instagram-worthy while building it. Focus on steady progress rather than overnight riches. The real path to wealth isn't sensational enough for TikTok — it's about making consistent, smart choices over time.

💳 Two new limited-time credit card bonuses

MoneyGeeks love trading credit card points balances for free travel. With this in mind, here are two credit card sign-ups worth considering.

1) United Business Card: 100,000-point limited-time offer
This $99 annual fee card is worth getting for several reasons. First, an elevated 100,000-point bonus when you spend $5,000 in the first three months; second, free checked bags; and third, cheaper award flight options when you connect your credit card to your United loyalty account.  

Beyond the sign-up bonus, though, we don’t recommend spending on this card. Keep the United Business Card in your wallet, but you’re better off spending on flexible points cards, like the Chase Sapphire or Ink cards that offer United as a potential transfer partner.

2) Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: 100,000-point bonus plus a $150 statement credit
It’s no secret that Hyatt and Hilton are my top two hotel loyalty programs. However, Marriott is a favorite among many travelers due to its luxury brands and large number of properties. This card offers a limited-time bonus and substantial rewards for Marriott hotel stays.

This $95-annual-fee card earns a 100,000 point bonus and after spending $3,000 in the first three months, plus a $150 statement credit. It also offers 17X points on spending at Marriott properties and 3X points per dollar on the first $6,000 spent annually on combined purchases at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. You’ll also get one free night after your first anniversary, but this night is valued at 35,000 points, making it useful only for lower-tier properties.

If you are planning Marriott stays in 2025, this card is worth having because of the solid bonus, the 17X multiplier, and a free night on your card’s anniversary.

Smart Cents gives you actionable tips and mindset shifts to help you reach your financial happy place. Thanks for being a part of our community.

The MoneyGeek Team

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