Side hustles. There are so many ways to make a little (and sometimes a lot) of extra money. The days of working 8-5 Monday-Friday and not doing anything on the side are pretty much over. In fact, nearly 50% of people have some sort of side hustle.
It can be argued that the reason that side hustles are such a big deal now is because of the rising cost of living, wage stagnation, the rising cost of education, jobs being shipped overseas, the political landscape, or any one of a multitude of reasons.
I’m not here to debate the reason(s) for the increase in the popularity of side hustles. What I am here to tell you is about my experience donating plasma so that you can decide if it might be a good idea for you to earn some extra money.
Before we get started…
I just want to say that donating plasma is not that scary. Yes, you have to get poked by a needle but it’s really not a huge deal. It only hurts for just a second and then really isn’t bad.
I have donated plasma off and on for the past few years and it has been a good experience the entire time. I’ve only had a couple of donations that were moderately uncomfortable. None of my donations have caused me much pain (and I’m really not that tough).
Also, the money can be pretty nice. In fact, I have funded nearly all of the startup money for The Money Muscle with money that I have made from donating plasma.
What is plasma used for?
Donating plasma is really noble. Plasma is used for a number of different medical reasons. It is used in research to prevent and treat several diseases or medical conditions including (but not limited to):
- Hemophilia
- Immune deficiencies
- Emergency room patients
- Burn victims
Plasma is basically part of your blood. Your body produces plasma quickly which means that you can donate plasma a couple of times per week. However, if you donate blood, you can only donate once every couple of months.
When you donate plasma, your blood is taken out of your body, the plasma is separated from the blood, and then the blood is returned along with saline to help hydrate you again.
Requirements to Donate Plasma
There are three main requirements for donating plasma:
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Have to be in good health (more on this in a minute).
- You must weigh at least 110 lbs.
Good health can mean a lot of different things. Some of the disqualifiers for giving plasma are things like having chronic diseases, having a recent tattoo, recent incarceration, recent piercings, traveling to certain parts of the world in a previous time frame, etc.
In order to find out if you are medically qualified to donate plasma, just call your local Biolife, CSL Plasma, or other plasma donation location and they will be happy to help you out.
First Time Donation Process
The donation process is really pretty easy. However, the first time that you go in to donate, make sure to set aside two or three hours. You will have to do a pretty extensive medical questionnaire and meet with a nurse to do a brief physical. You’ll also have to sign a couple of waivers and do some paperwork.
The typical donation takes about an hour to an hour and a half from the time that I walk through the door to the time that I get in my car to leave.
But the first time that you go in to donate it will take two to three hours to do all of the initial processes as well as your initial donation.
Regular Donation Process
After you have donated at least one time, the process is really easy.
You walk in the door and fill out an electronic questionnaire that takes 5-10 minutes. The questions are asking about how you are feeling, if you have taken any illegal drugs since you have last donated, if you have been diagnosed with any diseases since your last donation, have had any physical ailments since your last donation, etc.
After that you meet with a phlebotomist and they get your blood pressure, weight, temperature, and prick your finger to test your plasma to donate.
After the phlebotomist gives you the thumbs up, they tell you where to go. You go there and then another phlebotomist will come and put a cuff on your bicep and sterilize the area where they are going to stick you. This is the worst part (but really not that bad).
After they have the needle in your arm the process starts. The actual donation takes 45 minutes or so depending on how much plasma you are required to donate and how well hydrated you are.
After you are done, the phlebotomist will remove the needle and put a bandage around your arm and send you on your way.
You then schedule your next appointment (if required based on your location) on the app or website and come back again later.
How Much Money Do You Make?
This totally depends on your area. Some plasma centers pay more than others because the need for plasma is higher in that area. In Wyoming and Colorado, the typical minimum amount that you get is $20 for the first donation of the week and $50 on the second donation of the week.
However, this is the minimum for this area. Nearly always plasma centers have deals where they will give new or returning donors more money in their first weeks.
I have seen deals like:
- $100 for each five consecutive donations
- $50 bonus on your 8th donation of the month
- $20 for the first donation of the week and $90 for the second donation of the week
- $1,000 for the first 8 donations of a new donor
- $15 extra per donation for each donation of the month
The base rate for my area Biolife is $20 for the first donation of the week and $50 for the second donation of the week. However, there seems to always be some type of deal that they are offering. If I donate 8 times per month (twice per week for the whole month) I usually average about $350-400 for the month after all the added bonuses are included. But sometimes I earn a lot more.
The money you make is also not taxable because you are being compensated for your bodily fluids.
One of the nice things about donating plasma is that most of the plasma centers are open really early in the morning. My local Loveland, Colorado Biolife opens at 6:00 am. This allows for people who have to be at work at 8:00 or 9:00 am to come in before work. Most places are usually open until 7:00 pm or so.
Final Thoughts
I like giving plasma. Sure, getting stuck with a needle is not the most fun. But it’s more mind over matter. It’s really not that bad.
Donating plasma really helps people. Plasma is a much needed resource for those who are fighting disease, illness, or are in need of critical medical care.
While I’m donating plasma, I use that time to read, listen to podcasts, or just continue binge watching whatever show I am on at the time..
The workers that I have had encounters with in the two different Biolife Plasma Centers have been great. They are always really kind and helpful and understand that most people are at least a little nervous about needles. I’m sure that the workers of other plasma centers are the same.
Seriously though, if you like helping people, can get over being poked by a needle, and are in need of some extra money, try donating plasma.
If donating plasma doesn’t seem like the best way for you to earn some extra money, check out the other side hustles that I have done.
The reason that I have had the money to start The Money Muscle is because I donated plasma. Until next time!
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