- Share This Post
- 3
- submit
- 9
-
Sparkle (0)
Want to put some extra cash in your pocket? If you are brainstorming for ways to improve your income, read on for six ways to make money. Some of these methods are more conventional than others, some requires more effort, some more time, still others more risk. All of them, however, will bump up your top-line.
Donate Plasma
Brings the phrase "blood money" to a whole new level, doesn't it? If you are squeamish about needles or faint at the sight of blood, this might not be for you. Otherwise, plasma donation can be a quick way to make some money and provide a public health service. Plasma is the liquid part of your blood (without the red and white blood cells) that is often used in research and to make drug therapies. People with rare and chronic diseases such as hemophilia or von Willebrand disease may need plasma proteins to replace the proteins they lack. You will be compensated for your plasma at $20 to $30 per container, depending on your location and the clinic. If you donate plasma twice a week, that would be over $200 a month in change. (Check here for a list of locations.) Although donating plasma is not as lucrative as say, donating eggs or participating in medical trials (see below), it is much less invasive.
Turn Your Home into a Temporary Hotel
If you live in or near a big city or tourist destination, and you have room to spare, plenty of people will be willing to pay you for it. Do you have a cool condo overlooking the beach in Santa Monica? Or a 2-bedroom fit for a family in the Big Apple? Take advantage of them! A one bedroom with a shared bath in Boston can rent for more than $100 a night. Rent out your room just 3-4 nights a month, and that is a cool $300+ in your pocket (minus any fees you incur, of course). True, you will have to sacrifice some convenience / privacy, and you'd probably be spending some time and money making sure the sheets are clean (so you can get good reviews!). But many people are still happy playing (paid) hosts and hostesses. In addition to the monetary rewards, you get to meet interesting people from all across the country - and you might even make a few new friends. For an added level of protection, go through websites such as AirBnB and Crashpadder - they provide listing and payment transaction services to room-seekers and room-providers.
Along a similar vein, you can also rent out your garage for storage or your parking spot. If you live in an area with very limited parking and you don't have a car, or you are willing to partake in the excitement of street parking, a rented out parking spot can go for $100-$300 a month depending on your location.
Run Errands for Pay
If you have some time during the day (especially good for college students or workers with a flexible schedule), why not start a personal concierge business? Miss T includes this in her list of tips to make extra cash. Many harried 9-5ers would be willing to pay for someone else to take care of daily life's annoying "to-do" list. Whether its picking up a busy mom's kids from elementary school, taking the car in for an oil change, shopping from the grocery list, or standing in line at the Consulate, chances are some people are willing to pay you for it. If you can run errands on your own, you don't have to share your fees with a service. If you'd like access to a bigger group of clients, though, check out sites such as TaskRabbit.
Be a Human Guinea Pig
Where else are you going to receive free medical attention, be on the forefront of medicine, and get paid to boot? Of course, before you undertake this step, be sure you are very clear on how the process is run and the
