“Sell plasma” advises Credit Solutions of America

This list of “ways to gather funds” (PDF) provided by Credit Solutions of America contains an amusing list of ways that consumers in need of money to pay bills can scrounge up some extra cash.

There are some quality recommendations in there, such as getting a second job and selling the car, but these are my favorites:

• Baby sit
• Sell plasma
• Mow lawns
• Take up a money-saving hobby
• Avoid the car wash

Is this written for adults or for 14-year olds saving up for an iPod? I suppose the same strategies can work, but I’m imagining a middle-aged babysitter waiting in line at the plasma donation center, practicing his new change-counting hobby will keeping a wary eye out for rampaging car washes. Are there any hobbies that actually save money, anyway?

Actually, the first 13 suggestions are cause for concern. All suggest getting more credit or cashing in retirement savings. Consumers in debt trouble should not be getting deeper into debt, and cashing in retirement savings is essentially borrowing from oneself. This is irresponsible advice from a company claiming to help consumer start a “debt-free life.”

This list comes from California consumer lawyer Amy Kleinpeter, who handles Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and other consumer cases in addition to the bankruptcy practice advertised on her web site.