Baby, I've got the Money

Sylva Florence / senior photographer Two students view jewelry in the showcase outside of James McHone Antique Jewelry store downtown. The store gives away $100 to students found wearing their shirts on certain days.

College kids seem to do anything for money — give five big ones to whoever can stay up for the most consecutive hours, eat strange D-hall creations for the amusement of a dozen dollar-waving underclassmen, sell their great-grandmother’s old book collection on eBay, or sell back really used books for two times their original price to unsuspecting freshmen. Money hungry students may be happy to know there are other ways to snag an extra fistful of green ones. Read on for the dollars and cents.

One: Give and Receive

Time: It takes about three hours for first-time physical and plasma donation, one and a half to two hours for plasma donation.

Profit: $25 for first-time donors, $20 each following visit with a $10 bonus for donating twice a week (and additional bonuses for recruiting friends)

Grand total: Up to $200 a month

Admit it. Half of you don’t even know you have plasma. The other half know you have it, but you don’t know what it is. The dictionary says plasma is the clear, yellowish fluid portion of blood, lymph or intramuscular fluid that contains soluble clotting elements where cells are suspended. Hospitals use plasma products to treat burn victims and people with traumatic injuries. Hemophilia, immune system disorders and diseases like tetanus, rabies, measles, rubella and Hepatitis B also call for plasma-based treatments.

"Not only are students making money for themselves, but [they are] donating plasma for burn victims and other people," said Lisa Sirico, an employee at BioLife Plasma Services.

Since the human body replaces plasma quickly, donating twice within a seven day period — with 48 hours in between — is as safe as sitting at home eating cookies and milk, according to www.biolifeplasma.com.

"Most students donate plasma for the extra money," said Diana Rhodes, an employee at Biolife Plasma Services. "They also know it helps other people at the same time, though."

To make your visit even more comfortable, stay well hydrated (hint: non-alcoholic drinks and clear urine). Bring a blanket or a sweatshirt if you tend to get chilly. The saline solution used to replace the plasma is room temperature — a good deal cooler than our normal 98.6 degrees, according to www.biolifeplasma.com. Grab a book or magazine, prop up your feet and let the good times (and plasma) flow.

For information, look on-line at www.biolifeplasma.com or call BioLife Plasma at 540-801-0672.

Two: Spy Games

Time: Varies with assignment and can be full or part time; most companies require employees to file their evaluations within 24 hours after its completion.

Profit: Free services such as gas, food and retail products.

Grand total: Salary between $7 and $20 per hour

Imagine a chance to walk into a restaurant, order filet mignon, spy on the waiters and waitresses and rip on/give props to the décor, atmosphere and service. Not to mention you don’t have to pay for the filet mignon and you’re getting paid for the whole experience. If this scenario appeals to you, look into being a secret shopper.

A job as a secret shopper provides an opportunity for flexible hours and possible travel, as some secret shopper companies are located throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. "Secret shoppers anonymously observe and document quality of service at a store or business on any given day," according to www.ecom.ca, Venues include restaurants, airports, resorts, cruise liners, sporting events, liquor venues and night clubs, to name a few.

In short, take note on whether or not the cook washes his hands after he wipes his nose, whether the waiters are too busy flirting with each other to notice the customers and whether or not Joe Public at the Auto Barn has any social skills. Send in your evaluation and pick up your check at the end of the following month. If it’s not for you, your affair with secret shopping is as done as last night’s dinner.

For more information, check out the local classified ads or the Secret ShopNET at www.ecom.ca.

Three: Golden Opportunity

Time: Fifteen minutes to stop for a free t-shirt, an hour and a half wearing the shirt and walking around
Profit: $100

Grand total: A free t-shirt and the possibility of cold hard cash.

It’s easy as pie. Pull on a T-shirt, stroll around the commons or UREC and win cash.

Scenario sound too good to be true? It’s not. James McHone Antique Jewelry has been giving away moolah to JMU students for years.

"I had a student working for me once and I had him give away the $100," said shop owner James McHone. "Every time, a cute JMU girl would win. He would go up to the cutest girl he found and say ‘meet me at a certain place and we’ll split the money.’"

Although McHone now pays more attention to the way the money is distributed, he continues to dish it out for the love of JMU students and the unbeatable publicity.

What can you do to get your hands on the gold? Stop by James McHone Antique Jewelry on Court Square, check out the goods and grab a t-shirt in your size.

In fact, get your hands on a T-shirt soon. Your next chance to win is Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the commons and at UREC. You just might get some book money faster than you can say "pot of gold."

For more information see James McHone Antique Jewelry in downtown Harrisonburg at 75 South Court Square.
.