Making Extra Money
UK Medical Trials – You Could Make Money While Getting Better
There are a lot of ways to supplement your income to help you pay off debts, save for retirement, or have additional income to improve your daily quality of life. We don’t want to suggest you do anything to put your health at risk but we were pointed to a potential option for an income supplement that could, potentially, make a positive difference.
Here’s a look at one option that could not only improve your finances but that could dramatically improve your quality of life and the lives of others.
Paid Medical Trials
Are you thinking about participating in a drug trial? You might benefit substantially from it. You could make money, improve your own quality of life, and you could be part of research and development that changes the face of a specific medical condition. Some paid drug trials exist. Whether you have a medical condition that you want to benefit from or simply want to be a participant in helping the medical community advance in a specific (or general) area, there are companies that regularly look for volunteers in specific groups.
If you’re in the UK, medical trials might have casting calls, so to speak, for people of a specific gender, age group, activity level, weight, and so on. You’ll also find clinical trials in other countries as well.
Register for Drug Trials or Medical Trials
- Find a company that is taking registrations. One example is Parexel at http://www.drugtrial.co.uk/trial-listings.cfm. It’s wise to carefully look at the company’s reputation so you can be sure you want to participate.
- Register. Some registrations can be done online and others are handled differently.
- If selected, you’ll have to have medical screening to determine if you’re ideal for the test. This may require more than one visit
- You’ll be provided with information to help you understand variables about the trial including risk factors, your directions for participation in the trial, as well as compensation details.
Medical trials are not for everyone. There may be risks involved. Be sure that you closely examine all the information you are given before proceeding. Reputable research companies always do their best to make sure you’re fully aware of all risk factors and side effects beforehand. In some cases, especially if you suffer from a chronic or terminal illness, the benefits will outweigh the risk. Get informed so you can make an educated decision.
Tips for Setting a Christmas Spending Budget
Depending on your financial situation and your family traditions, Christmas time can be a very expensive time for you. Setting a holiday spending budget at any time is a good idea and it’s especially wise (and probably necessary) if you’re in a position where you have less spending money than in previous years.
Here are some helpful Christmas budgeting tips:
- Try to use cash if possible. Avoid running up credit cards during the holidays unless you’re certain you can pay the balance off in January. Try to avoid going into debt at Christmas to buy people gifts.You don’t want to pay Christmas debts off over the next year.
- Shop for sales. Start shopping early and do comparison shopping to save money.
- Cash in loyalty program points to use for Christmas shopping. Air miles can often be cashed in for gift cards and grocery store certificates and that can help lighten the financial load.
- Do homemade gifts if you can. For neighbours, teachers, and acquaintances, and sometimes even family, you can knit something, bake a tin of goodies, or put together a basket of gifts.
- Set budgets with people. If you are exchanging gifts with people, set a budget that everyone can agree to.
- Do ‘secret santa’ gift exchanges with large families instead of buying for everyone or buy a gift per family instead of gifts for everyone in the family.
- Set a ‘no gift exchange’ policy with family members if necessary so you don’t feel obligated or awkward about whether or not to buy gifts that you can’t afford.
- Make a list of everyone you need to buy for and allocate a dollar amount you’re planning to spend. Add a budget for the extra expenses (food, decorations, etc), and make a plan for where this money is going to come from.
- If you need to make extra money for Christmas and want to do it online, here’s an article about making money fast online that could help you bring in extra cash.
Christmas can catch us by surprise financially when you suddenly realise it’s only 6 weeks away and you’re financially strapped, with a large family to buy for. If you’re doing the money jar budget, you might even consider setting aside a Christmas fund next year so that you can budget and plan in advance.
Are You Afraid Of Losing Money? Financial Emergency Preparedness Tips
In a time of global financial turmoil, it can be unnerving to imagine what might happen with your mortgage, your pension and your investments. What do you do?
Here are some financial tips that can help you when the world is in financial crisis:
Ride the storm
It can be tempting to cash in your stocks and hide your money under the mattress when stocks take a dip but many experts suggest that it is sometimes a good idea to ride out the storm. Instead of selling everything, consider talking to an expert first. They might suggest you wait a little before making any sudden moves.
Liquidate a Little
Make some cash available in case there are problems accessing your money quickly. This might be a high interest bank account or a cookie jar. Having access to some of your money is a good idea.
Buy Gold, Silver and Collectibles
Gold is always a good investment and silver prices are low in 2008 but expected to increase due to minimal availability of silver. Spending a bit of money diversifying with gold and other higher value collectibles can be wise.
Stockpile
Saving some food and buying extra essentials is great for emergency preparedness. If you know the price of lemons or coffee or other staples are about to skyrocket, it’s wise to do a bit of a stockpile to get you through the storm. Emergency preparedness is wise in terms of your home and your finances.
Budget
Living lean below your means is wise. Consider delaying major purchases of lavish items and stick to living on a strict cash budget to stretch your money a bit further. Those who are in two income situations should consider living on one income and bank the other. IF you have no room in your budget, look to bring in a second or third income. If you don’t have time to work p/t in your spare time, you can do that with a p/t wah job on your computer.