Tips on raising $600?

[ProgressiveConn]

I think this is my first time starting a thread on DU. Today I found out my ex cleaned out my bank account. Apparently she took out $300 a day for 4 days in a row before I caught it and that was my entire rent nest egg dedicated to pay my rent for the next two months. At this point I'm screwed. I've thought about selling some items but I really don't own anything that would make me that kind of money other than my $2000 car (If it is even valued that high and if I sold it I'd be out of luck on transportation to work)...

In the past I would have went illegal and sold weed but I've gone out of my way to avoid that kinda stuff in the last couple years.

So I ask everyone what they feel the best legal way to make a quick buck is. A friend suggested medical experiments. Anyone know a good way to get in on less-dangerous experiments that will pay well? I don't care about pain, if they want to slice me up with no anesthetic that is fine, I just don't want to end up with cancer in ten years...

[datasuspect]

1. oh, i didn't read the part about LEGAL ways

never mind.

[ProgressiveConn]

4. Well thanks anyway! =)

I just cant bring myself to do that stuff... =)

[Dr.Phool]

2. There's always the Gannon method

Medical experiments generally take a long time, with pre-screening, and sometimes a period of inpatient treatment, plus follow-up testing and monitoring.

About the only choice is a temporary, second job.

[ProgressiveConn]

17. haha

Not legal for sure. Doubt any women would pay me to sleep with them and I surely am not having sex with another man. =)

The second job won't be quick enough of a short term solution to pay my rent on time. Although I spent several hours getting applications. It will probably mean me having to drop out of graduate school since my classes are at night but it looks like the only option for next month... Doesn't help me at all this month though.. =(

[SOteric]

3. I don't know about medical testing..

Do you have anything you could sell on e-Bay? Something worth pawning? Have you considered selling plasma? (They pay about $50.00 a pop out this way, but there are rules about how often you can tap the vein.)

What about friends or family from whom you can arrange a loan and a repayment schedule?

[ProgressiveConn]

Nay nothing to pawn.

My total property value is probably less than $2500 including my crappy car, old pc, small tv, furniture, clothing, etc. =(

My parents pretty much go paycheck to paycheck and couldn't ever come up with that much to loan me. My friends who I could ask for a loan don't have the resources either. Plus I've never asked anyone for money ever and I don't want to start now.

Any idea how I would go about selling plasma? Would I look at hospitals or is there a special clinic? Does smoking weed within the last month keep me from doing this? I know I can't donate blood so I figure it has to be similar.

Thanks for the help. =)

[GardeningGal]

5. I'd be after the bank for letting her have access n/t

[ProgressiveConn]

12. She must have taken an ATM card before we broke up.

They showed me camera footage from the ATM of her taking the money and everything... My next move would be to call the police but she has a young child and I cant do that to the baby... =(

[GardeningGal]

14. You're being nicer to her than I would be!

Good luck in getting the money you need, and be sure to either remove ATM access from your account or close the existing account and open a new one so she can't do it again.

[ProgressiveConn]

19. Yeah I closed the account today when I found out.

Though there was only $40 left by that time... Better than nothing I guess...

And I'm not being nice to her at all she can fucking die in a gutter for all I care. The kid however deserves at least one parent. =(

[shesemsmom]

25. You should go to the police.

You have been robbed!!! That kid aint your problem. She has a lot of nerve

[ProgressiveConn]

28. I can't do that to a child. I'd rather be out on the street.

The father is out of the picture forever. The grandparents are drug addicts and boozers... There is no one for the baby. =(

[GoddessOfGuinness]

29. Did you inform the people at the bank?

I'd call that theft!

[ProgressiveConn]

32. Actually THEY informed ME...

I went in to dispute not having any money in my account and they showed me the deductions. I started getting really aggressive trying to explain how I didn't take anything out. They showed me the security footage of the deduction happening and thats how I found out she was the person who took the money. I haven't even called her yet to tell her I know. I'm just so furious right now that I don't want to say something that will be used against me if I end up going after her for this.

[Deja Q]

6. Find an urban street corner and make sure you're immunized first...

[ProgressiveConn]

20. Seriously this is probably my plan. Head to Greenwich later this week and

set up shop... I have a feeling no one will throw any change in my bucket =).

[shesemsmom]

7. Have you talked to the bank. If she is your ex she may not have been able

to do this and the bank may have to reimburse your account. You mught try blood and sprem and blood donation

[ProgressiveConn]

13. Cant donate blood as I'll have THC byproducts in my system still...

I'll look into a sperm bank though. =)

[moof]

8. If $ 60 -100 a week will help Plasma is the way to go.

http://www.ehow.com/how_110908_sell-plasma.html

How to Sell Plasma
If you're looking to make some quick cash you can always donate your plasma, the clear yellowish fluid portion of the blood that transports water and nutrients to all the cells in the body and is used for transfusions to people who have suffered shock, burns or trauma. Although your body quickly replenishes its supply of plasma, there are a few precautions you should take before using yourself as an organic ATM.

1. Check with the Yellow Pages or a nearby college campus for the closest plasma collection center, blood bank or blood collection facility. There are more than 400 for-profit plasma collection centers in the United States.

2. Eat something two hours before donating plasma and drink lots of water to avoid light-headedness.

3. Plan to spend a few hours at the center the first time you go. Prospective donors are questioned about their health history and circumstances that may put them at risk for being HIV positive. You will also be asked if you've had any piercings or tattoos within the last 12 months. You'll undergo a physical exam, be screened for drugs, and be asked to sign waivers.

4. Lie down, relax and let the technician insert a needle into your vein. The blood flows into a sterilized machine that separates the plasma from the red blood cells and then pumps blood back into your bloodstream, in a process called apheresis.

5. Allow time for your medical history to be reviewed each time you return. After the initial visit, donating usually takes 30 minutes if there is no waiting line.

6. Expect to earn up to $35 for each donation (twice a week max). Donors who have been vaccinated for hepatitis B can earn up to $60 per week.


Overall Tips:
Every unit of plasma collected is tested for the presence of hepatitis, HIV, antibodies and antigens. The amount of plasma you can donate is based on your weight.

If you really want to help your fellow citizens, donate blood--it's in shorter supply and it's a nonprofit gesture.


Overall Warnings:
It's easy to sell your plasma often, but you risk scarring your veins and depleting your iron levels if you donate too frequently.

[RagingInMiami]

9. After what she did to you

You should sell naked pictures of her on the Internet

[ProgressiveConn]

23. Haha I've got ONE too. I'd do it too if I thought anyone would pay for it

but one poor quality image wont be making me anything from anyone. =)

[WinterStorm]

37. "Your evil"

That would work.

[China_cat]

10. Not so much experiments

but you could sell blood plasma. Which you can do twice a week. Don't know what they pay in your area, it wouldn't get you the whole $600 here but it would help.

[Quakerfriend]

11. So sorry for your misfortune Progressive

I did medical research for many years. And, it is a decend way to make some money. Just go to your nearest teaching hospital and find the General Clincal Research Center (NIH). And, tell head nurse on the unit that you'de like to volunteer. If you don't have any medical conditions you would be considered a "normal volunteer".

Some of the studies we did with normal volunteers paid as much as $2000 for a 21 day study. And, we gave participants 3 meals + snacks each day free of charge. Other more risky studies paid subjects $ 1000/day for a one day study.

Many of the MDs running studies also post looking for volunteers in the local paper or the on-campus paper.

[Quakerfriend]

15. Also, sleep research pays quite well

If you can find a sleep research center in your local teaching hospital, check it out. They often pay very well, because you usually have to sleep in their sleep center for a day or two.
Typically, you are hooked up to electrodes to monitor your sleep patterns. Nothing invasive, at all.

We paid $900 for 48 hour study to volunteers.

[Donailin]

16. First ,get baker's mold of the virgin mary

then, open up an ebay account.

[acmavm]

18. No toast with a picture of the Virgin Mary? How about Elvis?

You know, even tho I was being a smartass, I really feel sorry for you. I had an ex that cleaned me out MANY TIMES prior to the divorce (I usually was the only one working so he had free time to spend, spend, spend.) And then after I finally got rid of him the things that didn't get paid, or checks that bounced, or the people he called up and told not to cash the checks was nuts. I got sued, my check got garnished. And the collection agencies always gave me the same frigging answer when I asked why they always went after me. "Because you're the one who always had a job."

Knowing exactly how you feel I think you should be allowed to kick her ass all over the neighborhood. Or for that matter, make her stand on the street corner. But it don't work that way. So all I can say is you have ALL MY SYMPATHY AND BEST WISHES and I hope something comes up for you.

[ProgressiveConn]

35. thanks

I appreciate the good thoughts and am sorry that it happened to you too.

I wish she was a guy so this could be so easy. Go over there and handle the situation... Sigh.

[snowbear]

21. wow...

:o Was the bank account in both of your names, or in yours only? If it wasn't in both your names, are you considering contacting an attorney (pro bono) type case?

[ProgressiveConn]

24. Apparently she walked off with my extra ATM card that I kept with my

paperwork. It was only me on the account. The people at the bank told me to call the police. I can't do that because of the little one involved. =(

[snowbear]

27. Wait...

Why not file a police report.. even if you have a child with her?

Even if she's never busted for what she did, it's probably in your best interest to have the incident officially on file.

[ProgressiveConn]

30. It isn't my child. I don't like police but the more I think about it the

more it makes sense to at least talk to them about it. I know that in the end I'll have to file charges or something to get them to do anything and that will end up being really bad for the baby if my ex ends up in jail... I just found out about all this today so I'm not sure what to do yet.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

31. Absolutely!

It may come in handy in the future. And you may be able to negotiate her theft as a child support payment.

[ProgressiveConn]

33. Child not mine. Has nothing to do with child support.

[salin]

22. How are you at yard work?

Seriously - it is Spring - and a lot of people have tons they want to do, but no time to do it. Maybe some weekend work as a free lance gardner/yard work help. Some communities you can get 10 an hour digging, planting, pruning, mowing, etc. Put in 10 or 12 hours a weekend and in a couple of months you are recouped. Not a quick way... but a very doable one. If you are near a local U there are often boards where one can advertise such services.

Good Luck!

[ProgressiveConn]

26. I've done everything from landscaping to carpentry work in the past

but it does nothing to fix the situation immediately. There is really no long term problem. Eventually I'll be alright. I was just expecting my savings to be able to cover my rent for two months and that was ripped away from me. =(

[snowbear]

34. I would report it..

I've been a 911 dispatcher forever :silly: so I've heard it all..

It's not like they're going to send out an all points bulletin and issue a warrant for her arrest.

They'll take a report.. Probably a brief one-pager.. I'll bet they'll ask you if you're willing to press charges if they find her.

If you don't want to, let them know that you just wanted to make sure the incident was on file. The police department will give you a case number, and if you ever need to refer to this situation down the road, they'll be able to confirm that you DID report it.

I dunno... I'd at least get it on file. If you do, call the bank again and give them the police report number. They may have some sort of theft protection on that card once you've reported it.. and maybe you'll be reimbursed by the bank. You should ask them about that.

[ProgressiveConn]

36. Well the bank wont reimburse me.

They told me that flat out. But I'm going to continue to think on it and will probably call the police tomorrow when I'm less likely to yell at the cops trying to help me. =)

[katinmn]

38. Try clinicaltrials.gov

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/

I notice they have one on increasing memory capability in healthy adults. Might be some other more safe ones.

[Scout1071]

39. Call a mktg company in your area. I used to get $50-75 per focus group.

And they are not supposed to take you more than once every six months, but they are usually pretty desparate to sign people up.

Also, call a temp company. I've done all kinds of crazy stuff. I once temp'd for a very reputable florist. He was always looking for people to help set-up and break-down weddings, banquets, etc. It was pretty good weekend money. We'd work for a couple of hours in the morning. Have the rest of the day to ourselves, then he would pay us double ($20 per hour) to come back at 11pm to break everything back down. Aside from that, he let us bring many of the bouquets home with us. I've got to tell you..it is incredible how addicted one can become to beautiful, fresh flowers.

It's also getting warm outside and plenty of contractors and landscapers are going to be looking for crews.

Cut back as much as possible, eating at home, etc and you'll make it thru - good luck!