a woman holds the chin of a dog who is offering its paw. A heart floats between them.

Need Extra Income?

I have found some additional money-making opportunities lately, and I wanted to share them in case anyone needed to make a few extra bucks! There are several options out there that I have found that you might not have considered. This is not a conclusive list, just a few options I have come across. If you know of more please list them in the comments below! Medicine and medical care are very expensive, so those of us with heart failure may need a way to make some extra money. Let's help each other out!

Heart failure friendly extra income possibilities

Online surveys

There are several companies that allow you to take surveys online, and you are awarded points that can be redeemed for gift cards, money, etc. The payout is not large; however, in my experience, you can take the surveys from your computer or a phone, so it's easy to find the time to take them because they are accessible. Also, the more you take you can move into a higher band and have a multiplier effect, which can allow you to make some extra money. In my opinion, it will never be a lot but it can help you find a little extra for pharmaceutical expenses, etc.

Participate in paid focus groups

You can also participate in paid focus groups as well. There are certain restrictions if you, or a family member, are employed in certain industries. I believe there are also restrictions based on previous focus groups you have participated in. However, there are many market research companies that look for focus group participants from time to time. Depending on if you live in a large city, there may be more options for you. There seem to also be options to participate virtually or in person. Again, if you are interested research the options. The time commitment for a paid focus group is more than a survey, and you have to be invited and approved to participate, so it is a different experience than an online survey.

Dog sitting

Dog sitting is another good option, especially for those who have fatigue challenges and/or like dogs! Personally, I find being around dogs relaxing. You can dog walk and/or dog sit. Obviously, dog sitting requires less work than walking dogs. If you have strength limitations, then you might want to consider the size or weight of the dogs that you want to be around. Also, if you want to volunteer your services as a dog walker, think about this and any other weather or temperature issues that might impact your abilities.

If you want to focus on dog sitting, a lot of people have yards or their dogs require short walks so there is a lot of variance in what a pet might need. I would just say to be clear on your abilities, desires, and any limitations so it is a good experience. If you want to do more dog sitting and/or dog walking, there are websites that focus on pet sitters. I recommend you do a Google search, but Rover is a large company that comes to mind. If you are uncomfortable spending the night at other people's houses, but want to dog sit, Rover has an option to bring the pet to your home.

Any other recommendations?

Again, this is not a comprehensive list. These are just a few options that I have come across. I hope this helps. Managing heart failure, possible limitations, time, and energy while also paying for medical expenses can be challenging. Please feel free to add any other recommendations in the comments section below!

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