JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Mary Richardson is a loving grandmother of four and when it comes to spoiling her grand kids, she says in this economy, she needs extra cash.
So Mary spends four hours every week laying on a table in a cold, white room to get the cash to spoil her grand kids.
"With the economy, the way it is we can't afford for anything else to go up," she said.
Mary started donating blood when her son, Anthony, was diagnosed with a bleeding disorder.
"He can't clot and if he can't clot, then he will die," she said.
But after Mary realized she could get paid for plasma, she rolled up her sleeve.
"People don't realize how much that couple hundred dollars a month can help you besides saving a life," she said.
Blood money is big business and plasma centers are flooded.
You can get $20-40 dollars a visit and you get the money fast.
After they pump you for plasma at the "Talecris Plasma Center" in Atlantic Beach, you get instant cash, from the centers atm.
"That little bit of extra money can make a difference of having diapers, milk on the table or paying part of your mortgage," said Mary.
And that's not the only way people are using their bodies to make money. A lot of people are going online and selling their locks to make quick cash.
Hairtrader.com has 18,000 hair sellers across the country including folks right here in Jacksonville.
You can make anywhere from $500-$1000 dollars for your luscious locks.
These desperate times have Quiana Bones putting up with hot flashes, mood swings and labor pains.
"I'm here to do a job," she said. "You have to remember you signed a contract and these people are expecting this."
Quiana carried babies. Not one, not two... She carried triplets for cash, and for triplets, she brings home more than $100,000.
It's not easy work but its rewarding.
Autumn Corbitt sold her eggs so she could give an ultimate gift.
"You are giving somebody something that is special. It's not just something to make a quick buck," she said. "I have family members that couldn't have kids. Everybody deserves to have a child, at least one."
The gift gave back to Autumn, three thousand dollars and Autumn says it was hard earned money.
She had to go through extensive screening, dozens of doctors visits, and hours of research on her family history.
"They gave you injections that you have to do yourself and then you go in for 10 days everyday," she said.
Whether it's eggs, babies, hair, or plasma, selling your body is personal but Mary says it is worth it during these tough economic times.
"It's an excellent way to make a little extra money," she said.
There are some other ways you can cash in on your parts.
A lot of people sell their organs, enroll themselves in medical studies and even sell their sperm -- however, these are all things that are regulated, you must qualify and they need to be done with doctor supervision.
