A while ago we shared over 100 ways to earn extra income as additional money in your budget can play such an integral part to achieving your financial goals. Whether you are trying to make ends meet, get out of debt, or even grow your savings for a planned event or emergency, hopefully our list of ways to bring in that extra dough will give you some ideas on how you and your family can meet your goals!
Today we want to discuss the option of donating plasma for bringing in extra income for your family. Some very dear friends of ours have been enjoying the benefits of donating plasma – but what we didn’t know until recently talking to them is the amazing benefits for the recipients of the plasma as well as for the donors themselves.
First, we want to discuss what plasma donation is. It is different than donating blood as you are obviously not giving a pint of blood but rather the straw-colored portion of your blood consisting mainly of water, proteins, and antibodies which the body can quickly replace. What is great about this is instead of being able to donate only once every eight weeks you can donate up to twice in a seven day period. But what is even more important is that plasma is not directly used by local hospitals like blood, but rather undergoes a very highly engineered process to create life-saving therapies for persons born with genetic diseases, blood disorders, burn victims and more!
As we mentioned above, we didn’t realize until we spoke more with our friends about how many benefits there are for plasma donation. We have listed just a few of the benefits below:
- Compensation – Right now the annual worldwide demand for plasma is over 20 million liters whereas licensed donation centers in the U.S. only meet 11 million liters of that demand. As such, donors are compensated for their time and dedication to participating in the program.
- Compensation for your time and dedication – Each facility will offer slightly different compensations amounts, but our friends each make approximately $25-30 each per visit. When you consider that each visit is approximately 1-1.5 hours in length and that you can visit up to twice a week, one person could make up to $60/week or $200-240 per month. If both you and your spouse were to donate, a couple could make approximately $480/month by just donating plasma – or almost $6,000 per year for only spending up to three hours per week of dedicated time!
- Referral/promotion compensation – You can often earn referral compensation in addition to the money you earn just for donating. Donation centers often run promotions for first time visitors, compensation for referrals (either for you or your friend – or both!), and for continued donations.
- Compensation method – We’re sure the compensation method may vary slightly as well. The center our friends use gives them a debit card on their first visit and then refills it on each subsequent visit. They use their debit card on groceries, get the money back during purchase, or use the card on online bill pay for their budget. Each time they have donated, the money was on the card as soon as they walked out the door of the center.
- Knowing you are saving lives – Maybe it just didn’t click previously when I considered plasma donation. But when you consider all the life-saving therapies and diseases treated by the simple act of plasma donation it truly puts it into a different light. Knowing that your donation could save a life or even help someone in their healing process is priceless!
- Free babysitting and internet – Obviously this will depend on your donation center, but the center our friends utilize offers free child care during the donation process. And as 80% of the 1.5 hours is just sitting and allowing the donation process to finish, they take in their laptops and enjoy the free Wi-Fi their center offers as well.
- Enjoying a break – In combination with the possible child care and internet, our friends mention how much they actually enjoy donating blood as it gives them a nice break. The husband has taken in his kids to use the free child care after his wife has had a long day, enjoyed his time donating and given his wife a well-deserved break. Alternatively, his wife can stop in during a busy day of running errands and enjoy the same. Even just taking a few minutes to sit down with a good book while making $25-30 for doing so is enough incentive for our friends to donate!
With all benefits can come some downsides as well:
- Risk – According to donatingplasma.org there are risks but they are low when all things are considered. You will want to make sure to locate a licensed, International Quality Plasma Program (IQPP)-certified plasma collection center near you. Our friends love how comfortable they feel each time they go to donate – the center has professional, trained staff that provides a sterile environment with a medical office atmosphere assuring them of their safety throughout the process.
- Time to dedicate to plasma donation – As with every money-making endeavor you encounter you will need to determine whether the time is worth the amount of money you earn – your Return-on-Investment (ROI). While it is true you will spend about 1-1.5 hours (door-to-door) in the donation process, there are always additional factors to consider such as travel time and planning required to fit it into your schedule.
How can you get started?
- We found DonatingPlasma.org as an amazing resource to learn about this whole process. You can find out more about the eligibility requirements (at least 18 years of age and 110 lbs), health considerations and educate yourself about donating plasma.
- Find a licensed center near you and call ahead to find out anything special you might need to bring for your first visit. Some centers will require you to schedule an appointment while others will accept in walk-ins. Calling ahead will help you to anticipate what you will expect when you walk in the door.
- Ask your friends if they donate. As stated above many donation centers offer special promotions and referral compensation possibly for you and your friend. If any of your friends donate, just by simply asking you can help them (and maybe yourself) by mentioning they referred you!
- Schedule your first visit – When you sign up for your first visit to the donation center you can expect to receive a physical check up with a registered nurse and an evaluation of your health history. Each licensed donation center might have slight differences in their process, but checking with the center will let you know what to expect and the time you should allot for the initial visit.
- Go in and donate! If donating plasma is a good fit for you and possibly your spouse, then there is no better time than the present. We have often found that continuing the “We’ll start next week” mentality just delays the inevitable and gets you nowhere fast!
We would love to find out if you have donated plasma and to have you share with us your experience!
See our previous post Ways to Earn Extra Income: Over 100 and Counting. We love your suggestions for additional income ideas to help us continue expanding our ever growing list of ways to earn extra money to achieve your every financial goal!
Cathy Whatchamacallit via Facebook
My son has a life-threatening genetic disease that is treated with blood plasma every 28 days for the rest of his life. He would die without it. Thank God for people like your friends.
Cathy Whatchamacallit via Facebook
My son has a life-threatening genetic disease that is treated with blood plasma every 28 days for the rest of his life. He would die without it. Thank God for people like your friends.
Cathy Whatchamacallit via Facebook
http://Www.donatingplasma.org. Just type in your zip code for safe donation centers.
Cathy Whatchamacallit via Facebook
http://Www.donatingplasma.org. Just type in your zip code for safe donation centers.
The Thrifty Couple via Facebook
Awesome Cathy – we actually linked to that exact site so I’m glad you use the same resource! We hope this article can help educate us all on the importance of plasma donation.
The Thrifty Couple via Facebook
Awesome Cathy – we actually linked to that exact site so I’m glad you use the same resource! We hope this article can help educate us all on the importance of plasma donation.
Cathy Whatchamacallit via Facebook
Thank you for bringing this to light. So many people need plasma and plasma by-products. It’s a wonderful way to give too for people who cannot afford to give $$. I am wondering.g if they are taxed on the $? Like do they get an IRS 1099 form (or whatever the # is)??
Thanks to all who donate. My son’s next infusion is this Thursday. :*(
Cathy Whatchamacallit via Facebook
Thank you for bringing this to light. So many people need plasma and plasma by-products. It’s a wonderful way to give too for people who cannot afford to give $$. I am wondering.g if they are taxed on the $? Like do they get an IRS 1099 form (or whatever the # is)??
Thanks to all who donate. My son’s next infusion is this Thursday. :*(
Crystal Mexico via Facebook
My husband donates plasma twice a week. I will begin donating as soon as my 6 months postpartum is over. Its a great way to help others and earn a little pocket cash! Hes been donating for over a year now. We never received any forms or anything. Not sure how that works? Should probably check into that this year!
Crystal Mexico via Facebook
My husband donates plasma twice a week. I will begin donating as soon as my 6 months postpartum is over. Its a great way to help others and earn a little pocket cash! Hes been donating for over a year now. We never received any forms or anything. Not sure how that works? Should probably check into that this year!
Kristen Boe via Facebook
I paid for my wedding dress with plasma money. 🙂 Totally worth the “junkie” scars on my arms from the repeated needle pricks.
Kristen Boe via Facebook
I paid for my wedding dress with plasma money. 🙂 Totally worth the “junkie” scars on my arms from the repeated needle pricks.
Sarah
My husband (I am unable to donate; it makes me lightheaded and sick) donated twice a week every week for quite a while when we were both working full-time jobs — we used the $$ for several different funds so we didn’t have to use our paychecks up. It really helped us in our debt snowball!! You’re right about thinking about the ROI, though: once he became an independent consultant, his time became valued at $65/hour — obviously not worth doing for the money ($20-$30/donation here)… although sometimes he does still donate just because of the benefits for plasma recipients.
Sarah
My husband (I am unable to donate; it makes me lightheaded and sick) donated twice a week every week for quite a while when we were both working full-time jobs — we used the $$ for several different funds so we didn’t have to use our paychecks up. It really helped us in our debt snowball!! You’re right about thinking about the ROI, though: once he became an independent consultant, his time became valued at $65/hour — obviously not worth doing for the money ($20-$30/donation here)… although sometimes he does still donate just because of the benefits for plasma recipients.
Cindy
They don’t seem to do this anywhere in New England. Weird.
Cindy
They don’t seem to do this anywhere in New England. Weird.
Carrie
I agree that there are wonderful benefits to plasma donations but I would give a caution to find out if there is any family history of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots). This is a life treatening issue that can be exasperated by regular plasma donation and I would suggest that people get a comprehensive medical family history before doing this. I am not saying don’t donate just be aware before you do.
Carrie
I agree that there are wonderful benefits to plasma donations but I would give a caution to find out if there is any family history of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots). This is a life treatening issue that can be exasperated by regular plasma donation and I would suggest that people get a comprehensive medical family history before doing this. I am not saying don’t donate just be aware before you do.
Jessica TwinMom Nguyen via Facebook
Anyone know of any centers in the San Jose, CA area?
Jessica TwinMom Nguyen via Facebook
Anyone know of any centers in the San Jose, CA area?
James Jackson
I love this CNN Hero
http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/09/15/cnnheroes.keatley.nutrition/
James Jackson
I love this CNN Hero
http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/09/15/cnnheroes.keatley.nutrition/
Mary Ellen McCann
I worked in a plasma center for 5 years and this was a frequent question. It is a tax-free donation you receive. You do not pay any taxes on the money you receive from donating your plasma.
Yes, you do need to be very careful when donating plasma. You have to be very honest about what medications you are taking and what medical conditions that you may have. There are risks for people with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. You are losing protein every time you donate so you MUST replenish this by eating good proteins. Donating is a gift of life to someone else and you should take care of yours while you give this gift.
kenneth artry
would like to find a plasma for compensation center near me. Rancho cucamonga ca. 91730
christy
Just made my first donation this week and will be going back in a few days for my 2nd donation. My hours at work were just reduced so this really helps out during this time. Thank you for the idea’s on how to earn extra income I also love that it’s helping others too.
Elizabeth L
My husband and I did this just this week. 🙂 We got $50 each for the first 2 times. He lost his job on Monday, so we are trying to pack more money into savings. Your list is definitely coming in handy. I would recommend before going that you eat a ton of food and drink a ton of water. I nearly passed out after being there for 4 hours even though I ate and drank before going. The first time you go it will take a long time with getting checked in and learning about the whole process. The second time I went only took 1 hour. And unfortunately, a lot of the plasma centers seem to be in not the best neighborhoods 🙂 but don’t let that deter you.
Mark Murphy
I really like your tip to make sure that you say if one of your friends referred you if you go to donate plasma. My brother has been asking around for different ways to make money, and I think that some of his friends suggested that he donates plasma. I will be sure to tell him that if he donates, he should say who referred him!
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