Lazy Work Makes Lazy Money: Plasma Donation, Money Management, and Financial Guilt

• In Event: 40860 - Section on Economic Sociology Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 7. Atypical markets II

Abstract

How does earning money with intentionally low effort influence the way people organize and spend that money? How does earning money in this way, and subsequently spending it, impact people’s sense of financial guilt? To investigate these questions, we draw upon Zelizer’s (1989, 2012, 2017) model of special monies to introduce a unique form of money we call lazy money. Using data from 33 in-depth interviews with plasma donors, we explore how lazy money is earned, what form it takes, and how it is spent. We argue that lazy money is useful for dealing with financial guilt.

Authors

• Claire Duncan, Brigham Young University

• Curtis D. Child, Brigham Young University - Provo