Money for nothing

Every college student knows money doesn't grow on trees. It's hard enough for some students to tackle looming utility, textbook and rent bills head on, let alone handle the pressures of fronting the bill for yearly climbing tuition costs. So how do students manage to indulge in pleasurable pursuits, on top of their other expenses? Where there is a will, there is a way.\nIU students are coming up with unique ways to earn quick cash in order to support their large bar tabs and restaurant bills on the weekend. Earning a quick buck is especially important for students who don't have time for a job but need the cash in order to enjoy Bloomington's reputable weekend night life. With spring break just around the corner, students are scrounging for every penny they can get. \nSenior Mark Thein-Wai turns to online gambling sites like www.partypoker.com and www.royalvegas.com to turn his penny into dollars. Thein-Wai said he logs on every couple of weeks to see if he can win big and score some spending money for his weekend rendezvous. \n"I always like playing cards and if you go online you can play anytime of the day," he said. \nThein-Wai says his method for quick cash is a popular tactic among college men. "Millions of people play it online," he said. "Definitely a good percentage of college guys play." \nJunior Pat Cline pulls late night shifts at Blockbuster Video on the weekends to pay for his living expenses. However, to stay afloat on his bar tab, Cline found a more unusual money-making method -- donating plasma. \nCline visited BioLife, a plasma collection company located at 430 S. Landmark Ave., twice a week for almost all of his sophomore year. Plasma donors must have a physical on the first visit to assure they are in good health and must answer a number of procedural questions before every donation. After the first visit, donation sessions usually last approximately an hour and a half. \nCline took the opportunity to multi-task as he was hooked up to the plasma machine. "I did my homework, and got paid for it," he said. Not only do students get $20 for this first donation and $25 for the second visit in the same week, they also get the satisfaction of knowing they helped those in need of plasma. \nAccording to the BioLife Web site, plasma is used to treat deficiencies in the body's immune system and to help make products used to prevent and treat a number of diseases. \nOther ways students can earn fast cash and at the same time help a cause is by participating in paid psychology experiments. Psychology students and professors are in constant need of subjects for ongoing studies. Announcements for these paid experiments are posted on bulletin boards throughout the building. \nSenior Emily Ray, a double major in psychology and journalism, made approximately $150 for participating in a study that tested the thinking skills of college-aged binge drinkers. Her roommate brought the flier to Ray and after calling the proctor and being screened, Ray was classified as eligible for the experiment. \nRay said the experiment consisted of three two-hour sessions that involved thorough questioning and analytical thinking games that awarded good performance with cash bonuses. "At the third session, I played a card game and was told I could earn money based on how well I played the game," said Ray. "Some people earn more money than others and some people earn less than others." Ray said the examiners were analyzing her thinking skills and how she made her decisions in the card game. \nOne man's junk is another's treasure or so the saying goes. Students can take "gently used clothing", accessories, foot apparel, home décor, CDs, VHS tapes and DVDs to Plato's Closet, located near College Mall and next to Kroger, and get cash in exchange. \nManager Ree Matthews said with spring break approaching, the store is looking to buy and sell spring and summer items. Plato's Closet typically looks for name brand clothing or pieces that reflect current trends. Matthews said the amount paid to students in exchange for items usually depends on the condition and quality of the product. "The more expensive the item, the more you're going to get for it," she said. \nMatthews also said the number of students wanting to sell used items is always at a high during this time of year with spring break right around the corner. "We are selling and buying a lot this time of year, because students need to change their wardrobe out," Matthews said. \nOpen from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day but Sunday, Plato's Closet gears their products toward college-aged students. Matthews thinks the store has plenty to offer students. "It's a quick way for students to earn cash when they need it because sometimes jobs just don't pay enough and they can also purchase clothes 70 percent cheaper than mall prices," she said.\nStudents also have the option of selling back used CDs, DVDs, and vinyl records to music stores on Kirkwood such as Tracks, located next to Village Deli. Tracks employee Brett Hayden said they will pay anywhere between $2 to $5 for used CDs and a little bit more for used DVDs. \nHayden said the pay depends on the condition of the product and the visibility of the artist. CDs they have several copies of will be turned away. Hayden agrees that more students have wanted to sell back media in exchange for spring break moolah. "People need cash, and they want to go party," he said. \nWhether the cash is for a night out or a spring break trip, these students are proving that easy money isn't impossible.