Forget Selling Your Blood for Money: Here Are 3 Painless Side Hustles You Can Try

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People often joke about selling their blood for cash when money gets tight and they need a boost to their savings account . But actually, it's not just a joke.

Due to safety concerns, donors are not compensated for regular blood donations. However, certain blood donation programs may be eligible for compensation, such as donating plasma. The Red Cross, for example, has a special donor program that compensates participants up to $350 for certain blood collections, including white blood cells.

You should know that donating blood in any shape or form has the potential to save other people's lives. So that's reason enough to want to do it. But giving blood -- whether for money or not -- isn't always easy.

For one thing, there are certain health requirements you might need to meet before you're allowed to donate. And depending on the nature of your donation, you may be sidelined for a bit of time after the process is over. So it's probably not the best idea to turn selling blood into a regular side hustle.

And besides, there are usually mandatory waiting periods between donations that may not align with your financial needs. With that in mind, here are a few far less painful side hustles you can try to drum up consistent cash.

1. Driving for a ride-hailing company

If you have a car and don't mind spending time behind the wheel, driving for a ride-hailing service could be a great way to put extra cash in your bank account. And the nice thing about a gig like this is that it's flexible.

Don't want to work next Friday night because you have family in town? Don't log into the app and accept passengers. It's as simple as that.

Also, if you're someone who works at a desk job all day, you may not relish the idea of doing after-hours data entry or web design at home. Driving people around gets you out and about, and you might even meet some interesting folks along the way.

2. Writing or editing online content

If you work outside the home, you may want a side hustle that doesn't require you to leave the house at night. And if you have kids and child care is an issue, you might need a remote side hustle. Otherwise, the amount you spend on a babysitter could wipe out your extra earnings.

If you're good with words, it pays to look at online content writing gigs. And there are many different types. You may get hired to create marketing materials for a retail company. Or you might update a company's blog or write homeowner guides for a contracting firm looking to drum up business.

If you don't love the idea of having to create content, you may be able to get a job editing it. To do this, though, you need a keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of grammar. You should also familiarize yourself with different online writing guidelines, like Associated Press (AP) style.

3. Caring for pets

If your job has you interacting with people all week, you may not have the patience to do more of the same on the side. But why talk to people when you could instead cuddle puppies or watch cute little kittens roam about?

There are plenty of pet owners who need their animals cared for while they're away. Create an account on an app like Rover so you can connect with people who want their pets looked after in their homes or in yours. You might risk the occasional cat scratch or dog nip, but you at least won't be forced to have a needle plunged into your vein.

Donating blood is a wonderful thing. And you don't have to feel guilty about being compensated for it if you participate in a specialized donation program -- especially since that might require an extra time commitment on your part.

But if you're looking for a steady side hustle, giving blood for money probably isn't it. So it pays to explore your options for finding a gig you can do regularly that works wonders for your budget .

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