Five Clever Ways to Make Money Fast

Do you fall under the “broke college student” stereotype? Do you need cash now? Well, you’re just in luck because here are a couple of ways for Ottawa students to make quick cash in a short period of time.

1. Work-Study

Graphic courtesy of: www.nwmissouri.edu

Ottawa University provides work-study for those who are eligible. Work-study jobs are given as part of a financial aid package. This program allows students to work in certain departments or programs such as the library. You will receive a check or direct deposit biweekly.

      2. Be someone’s friend

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I’m sure you have a lot of friends, but now you can actually earn a good living by being someone else’s friend. Whether it’s going out to dinner with someone who doesn’t want to be alone, or working out alongside someone who travels, there are many reasons why one would rent a friend. According to RentAFriend.com, most friends start at $10 an hour with some friends making up to $2,000 a week as a full-time friend. Similar to renting a room in your home, make sure you find out a little more about the person before you agree to be their friend.

     3.  Donate your plasma

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In Lawrence, you are able to donate your plasma for cash. At CSL Plasma you can expect to be paid anywhere from $20 to $50 per donation. The range in compensation is related to the volume of plasma you are able to donate. The FDA sets the guidelines, and the weight ranges are 110-149 pounds, 150-174 pounds and 175-400 pounds. The more you weigh, the more plasma you are able to donate, and the more cash you can be paid. Keep in mind that you are only able to donate twice a week.

    4. Sell your used clothes

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Arizona Trading Company and Plato’s Closet, both located in Lawrence, will give you cash for the clothes you no longer wear. These clothing stores will purchase gently used teen and adult clothing, as well as accessories. They base how much the items are worth on current popular culture fashion, the brand and the condition of the item. There is no appointment needed, and they will pay you cash on the spot for the trendy items in your wardrobe that you no longer wear. Check them out here: http://www.platosclosetmission.com/how-it-works

     5. Uber/Lyft on your own free time

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Uber and Lyft will match you with passengers who request rides on a smartphone, and they will pay automatically through the app. The great thing about Lyft is that you can receive tips from your passengers and keep the tip in full. You can also make more money if you are in peak hours in busy areas such as Kansas City or Lawrence. If you are trying to cover this month’s bills or fund your extracurricular college activities, this is a great way to make quick money on your own time. So go ahead and be your own boss.