Need fresh ideas

[hvn_fun2]

So I am a student and I practice on people (friends, friends of friends, etc) for free. I have a clinic set up at home and that's where i do it. So on a few occasions people offered me a tip after massage - each time it was a $20 bill. Now, I like money just as much as the next guy, but I am prohibited from earning money by providing massage while I am in school, and I don't want to risk it, so I refused the money. I realize it may make the person feel a bit awkward since they liked the service and wanted to compensate me for my time. It may even make them think twice before coming again. So, I have an idea and that's where I need the power of collective thinking. I want to buy a bunch of 'things', something cheap, like 10 cents a piece, and if people offer me money I suggest they can buy as many of these 'things' as they see fit, at $5 a piece. I realize it's borderline, but these purchases are absolutely voluntarily and my massage services remain free. I just can't figure out what these 'things' can be. It's better be something useful, and disposable, so that it would make sense for a client to get more than one. I don't want them to just throw them into garbage the moment the leave my house (and litter my front yard). Can you think of something? Thanks a lot!

 

[Dirtbiker2714]

Need fresh ideas

individually wrapped hand wipes?

 

[Beth G]

Need fresh ideas

Accepting tips as a student can be a tricky situation. While I was in school, we were told to politely decline, but there were always those people who absolutely insisted and refused to leave until you took their money. To avoid making a scene or offending them, we were then told to simply say thank you and take it if we encountered this situation. There were even people who knew we weren't allowed to take them so they would leave money on top of the sheets when they left the room after getting dressed so by the time you got it, they were long gone and there was nothing you could do about it. Yes, it was awkward and at times I felt guilty for feeling like I was bending the rules, but I simply expressed my gratitude, no one said anything, and life went on with a bit of extra grocery money for the week.
Since you are not requesting any compensation (or "accepting donations"- I can't stand seeing that! t013 ), this is actually the approach I recommend over selling an item. However, if you're set on providing something they can "buy" in lieu of giving you a tip, things that come to mind are maybe bottles of water, mints, or maybe a tube of lip balm/chapstick. I know these don't exactly fit the $.10/ea requirement, but they're not things people would just throw away. If you do this, just be aware of any trouble you might have for not having the proper licensing to sell retail.

 

[Eric]

Need fresh ideas

So I am a student and I practice on people (friends, friends of friends, etc) for free. I have a clinic set up at home and that's where i do it. So on a few occasions people offered me a tip after massage - each time it was a $20 bill. Now, I like money just as much as the next guy, but I am prohibited from earning money by providing massage while I am in school, and I don't want to risk it, so I refused the money. I realize it may make the person feel a bit awkward since they liked the service and wanted to compensate me for my time. It may even make them think twice before coming again. So, I have an idea and that's where I need the power of collective thinking. I want to buy a bunch of 'things', something cheap, like 10 cents a piece, and if people offer me money I suggest they can buy as many of these 'things' as they see fit, at $5 a piece. I realize it's borderline, but these purchases are absolutely voluntarily and my massage services remain free. I just can't figure out what these 'things' can be. It's better be something useful, and disposable, so that it would make sense for a client to get more than one. I don't want them to just throw them into garbage the moment the leave my house (and litter my front yard). Can you think of something? Thanks a lot!

No, just don't do it. Selling cheap crap at a profit is a ridiculous alternative to being paid directly, and is also taxable income. Tell them you can't ethically accept any compensation for your work while still in school, but you'll be happy to let them pay you once you've graduated. Get their permission to call and set up appointments then. If they "think twice" about seeing you twice for freebies now, GOOD! They will be better (paying) clients later.

 

[Don T]

Need fresh ideas

I'm with Jason, just be totally honest, including letting them know that you will be charging for your work as soon as you are legal to charge for your work. You don't want anyone trying to badger you into "more practice" once you are licensed, and you don't want to be trying to hide income while you are a student.