One of the things that this challenge was to inspire was new ways for people to make or save money. Well I just received $337.50 for something that I haven't seen posted here before (or if it was, I missed it).
I'm a guinea pig. Since I live pretty close to a University ( ie, research) Hospital, I sign up for research studies concerning asthma. I get free medical checkups and free medicines (sometimes samples on the meds I regularly take). Sometimes just a few visits are required, sometimes weekly over several months. Unfortunately, I had to stop this research series halfway through because I got sick, or it would have been about $700.
I talk to my doctor concerning the trials. They have always been for drugs that are already approved for other uses and the drug company is investigating other uses for the drugs, therefore I know they are safe.
Best of all, I know I am helping to find better ways of managing this disease or even hopefully, a cure. I couldn't do anything to prevent passing this disease on to 3 of my 4 kids (it's hereditary), but maybe, just maybe my grandkids won't have it...
I've also heard of some hospitals that use "professional patients" to train the med students. You get paid to go in and present with various ailments so they can practice. Then you evaluate them on their bedside manner, whether they asked you certain followup questions, asked about family history, etc.