Getting started

As a clinic, we do our best to support patients who want assistance accessing treatment through all the conventional ways of securing finance with all available financial institutions for people’s specific circumstances. 

Moreover, through the lists below, you will find different and new ideas you have either not previously thought about or seriously entertained until now. 

Take note of the ideas offered here as suggestions that may spark new thoughts for your consideration that can support you in finding feasible ways to create your dream. It is understandable if you feel hesitant about implementing some of these ideas to secure funds for your treatment, and that is ok. That choice is valid; knowing you have additional options is still great. 

Embrace this unique opportunity, as the information here will help you materialize and achieve your objectives to enhance your holistic wellbeing. Therefore, use this moment as an invitation to ask yourself even better and deeper questions with the power to move you from ‘can’t,’ ‘don’t,’ and ‘won’t’ to materializing your needs by implementing new thinking that leads to new behavior.

A practical brainstorming session 

In getting started, you and a loved one, partner, or friend might do a brainstorming exercise and push yourself to devise 50 ways to attain the resources you need to make this dream come true. For this exercise, it does not matter if all of the ideas you come up with are feasible. It only matters that you push yourself to think up new possibilities – and have FUN in the process! 

The more fun you make this, the easier it is to be creative, and creativity is the initial seed of all CREATION, which is what you exactly want to achieve right now. So let go of the need for ‘doing it right’ and getting ‘the right answer’ and have fun. 

Enjoy the process, have fun, and begin creating your new future, which could include ideas to increase your income, decrease your expenses, raise funds, master a skill, and more. Only your imagination can limit you at this point, and your imagination is unlimited. So let’s get thinking.

Ways to secure financing:

• Inquire with your employer or human resources department what funding eligibility may exist;
• Check with your health insurance company regarding options available to you (although we do not find this option very helpful; some high-level employment benefit insurance companies provide better coverage than others); 
• Family loan or gift;
• Personal loan;
• Secure a no-interest/ low-interest credit card;
• Existing credit card;
• Use a redraw facility on your home loan;
• Selling unwanted/needed items (e.g., unused vehicles, etc.);
• Crowdfunding;
• Add extra value to your existing employer and ask for a raise.                                                  

Ways to increase income:

• Find ways to add value;
• Start providing a service you can deliver;
• Become an Uber / Lyft driver;
• Become a delivery person for Uber Eats, Menulog, Deliveroo (or other delivery services in your country);
• Deliver a service through Airtasker, Craigslist, etc.;
• Deliver pamphlets;
• See if your current employer has a special project that needs to be delivered for which you can earn overtime;
• Become an Airbnb host;
• Host an Airbnb food tour;
• Freelance your skills;
• Begin blogging and earning affiliate commissions through dropshipping;
• Photography or artwork sales;
• Rent your car out while you are not driving it by using a service like Car Next Door, Zipcar, etc.;
• eBay;
• Become an Amazon seller;
• Rent out your garage or driveway;
• Tutoring – music lessons, math, languages, arts, etc.;
• Teach people to cook at home or craft using ClassBento or other services/ platforms;
• Start a food preparation and meal delivery service;
• Publish a book on Kindle;
• Pet/house sit;
• Teach classes at local community centers;
• Babysitting;
• Housekeeping;
• Tailoring and clothing alterations;
• Ironing service;
• Get paid to do surveys or participate in studies;
• Enter sweepstakes and competitions;
• Become a personal shopper or personal assistant;
• Create an online course to sell;
• Collect cans and recyclable bottles to exchange for cash;
• Human billboard;
• Become a mystery shopper;
• Model for stock photo sites;
• Use your vehicle for advertising/promoting brands;
• Rent out or sell clothes you no longer wear;
• Create a product and sell it on Etsy and other platforms;
• Check out sites like Fiverr and Upwork for jobs that you can complete.                  

Ways to reduce expenses:

• Consume more home-prepared meals;
• Meal plan and only buy what is on the grocery list;
• Shop once a week or less;
• Grow your food;
• Take your lunch to work every day;
• Buy your meat and animal proteins in bulk (share a whole cow with friends, for example) and save;
• Shop after you have eaten a meal, not when you are hungry;
• Research better deals for your everyday bills, e.g., phones, electricity, gas, insurance, etc.;
• Cut or stop subscribing to streaming services;
• Reuse and recycle where you can;
• Delay buying new things, e.g., clothing, household items, etc., unless they are a need;
• Cancel all memberships you do not use;
• Trade-in cars for a less expensive model;
• Walk/ride where possible to save on fuel;
• Go through your bank statements and see where you can cut spending;
• Check for specials and coupons;
• Sign up for rewards/loyalty programs;
• Use cashback apps;
• Shop for used or refurbished items, e.g., Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Gumtree, and eBay;
• Join warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club;
• Join a co-op to purchase your organic items in bulk;
• Take your snacks everywhere;
• Borrow items you may need for one-time projects rather than purchasing;
• Turn off lights and heating/air conditioning in rooms you are not using;
• Unplug electronics that are not being used;
• Look for free or low-cost entertainment, e.g., rent a movie rather than going to the cinema;
• Make sure your appliances are energy efficient. Google where you can access energy review of your home for free to help you understand where you use the most energy;
• Shop at markets rather than big chain stores;
• Carpool;
• Avoid impulse buying;
• Join a local barter or buy nothing Facebook group;
• Try a no-spend holiday  or stay-cation;
• Turn your thermostat for heat  down or up for cooling;
• Volunteer strategically, e.g., if you volunteer at a museum, you may be able to get free entry;
• Replace expensive habits;
• Take advantage of free fitness classes or free/low-cost fitness apps;
• Make your own cleaning solutions;
• Go to the cheaper sessions of shows, e.g., matinees, day showings of movies;
• Share streaming accounts with family members;
• Swap books and music;
• Wait for sales;
• Delete pre-saved credit card details on shopping sites so that purchasing is more effort than ‘one-click.’
  

Ready. Set. Implement.

Now, it is your turn to list 50 ways to attain the resources to turn your dreams into reality. 

Keep in mind that changing conditions come from persistent commitment to IMPLEMENTATION. The speed at which you get back on track after falling off the wagon should serve as your benchmark for success rather than whether you can maintain it. You can only fail if you give up, so it is key to keep pushing to realize your goal. Complete your list in one sitting and implement it accordingly.