How can I make money I'm desperate?

throwitaway9 · 2021-10-06T15:18:56+00:00

Due to reasons out of my control, I am in a really tough financial spot. I have a two year old DS who stays at his dad's for a night or two per week. I am a full time student. I am desperate to make money, but I don't know how. I did a waxing course but got no interest. I've thought about baking cupcakes and biscuits but not sure how well that would do. What do would think about organic, homemade dog treats? Does anyone have any "side hustle" ideas or other ways similar to the above? I have even applied to a few gentlemen's clubs to be a dancer but I can't bring myself to do it. I'm sick of always being stressed about money and not being able to give DS everything I feel he deserves.

Goawayangryman · 06/10/2021 16:21

I wouldn't bother with making products - lots of outlay, not much in the way of income unless you're really, really lucky. Better to get a regular job. Online admin can pay OK but hard to get a foothold.

Do you get CMS for your child?

MotherOfDragons27 · 06/10/2021 16:23

Are there any pubs nearby you could do a couple of evening shifts a week when your child is with their dad? Supermarkets will be hiring soon for the Christmas period but that doesn't help you now I'm afraid.

Original poster

throwitaway9 · 06/10/2021 16:23

Yes I do get CMS but it barely scratches the surface atm.

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Original poster

throwitaway9 · 06/10/2021 16:24

@MotherOfDragons27

Are there any pubs nearby you could do a couple of evening shifts a week when your child is with their dad? Supermarkets will be hiring soon for the Christmas period but that doesn't help you now I'm afraid.

The reason I've been looking at a small business etc. is that my uni hours are different every week (have to work on placement as part of the degree) so I can't commit to any set shifts or hours.

I have signed up for agency catering work but it's rare they have shifts available.

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kwiksavenofrillsusername · 06/10/2021 16:26

A lot of customer service jobs are remote now. Maybe you could find one that’ll give you a couple of evenings a week shifts. Also can your DS get free childcare at two? If so, that would give you some time during the day to work.

nimbuscloud · 06/10/2021 16:27

Can you give an idea of your income and expenses?

ShoppingBasket · 06/10/2021 16:27

Have u tried online surveys, can't make loads but every £10/£20 helps

Iliketeaagain · 06/10/2021 16:28

What sort of placements are you doing? Could you get on a zero hours / bank contract for a residential nursing home or hospital and do carer shift when you are able? They are almost always short staffed so I'm sure shifts would be available when you wanted them.

Original poster

throwitaway9 · 06/10/2021 16:28

He is in childcare due to my degree being full time, I get 85% of the costs covered by the childcare grant service as it's a medical course. I really need something with flexibility as my uni hours are unpredictable

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ODFOgrinch · 06/10/2021 16:29

Buy local and sell on eBay. Sell everything that you don't wear or your son has grown out of.

Cut your outgoings to the bare bone for 2 month to build a small buffer for emergencies.
What are you studying? could you do tutoring for the two nights you have free: my DS is only 21 without a degree yet but making a good amount per hour for a couple of hours at a time doing tutoring . Note: don't fall for the English as a second language company scams: you won't make any money.
Do you have any needlecraft skills? Recycled low impact fashion is very popular at the moment, so jumble sale jumpers reknit or crocheted into new garments could be a small but steady stream.
Or a cleaning, bar or shop job for a couple of evenings a week?

Original poster

throwitaway9 · 06/10/2021 16:29

@ShoppingBasket

Have u tried online surveys, can't make loads but every £10/£20 helps

Do you have any recommendations for sites to use please?

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MrsRobbieHart · 06/10/2021 16:30

Do you still have all the waxing equipment? If so that’s what you need to do. Get on Facebook, create a business page. Call it something snappy and memorable. Eg: Pro wax big town. Then do competitive price list and share your page among all your Facebook friends, share on Instagram, Snapchat etc. And share to all local selling pages on Facebook and just keep sharing it. Every single day. Even if you think people are sick of seeing it, keep sharing. You need to be dogged. Do combo offers. Christmas offers etc.

Baking and dog treats etc requires massive outlay for ingredients and equipment. You also need to have your kitchen approved to sell food from it. And dog food is very highly regulated.

Iliketeaagain · 06/10/2021 16:32

@throwitaway9

He is in childcare due to my degree being full time, I get 85% of the costs covered by the childcare grant service as it's a medical course. I really need something with flexibility as my uni hours are unpredictable

In that case, my cross post about getting on the bank is definitely relevant and it may help afterwards with experience when you are looking for jobs.

nostaples · 06/10/2021 16:32

medical trials

Original poster

throwitaway9 · 06/10/2021 16:33

@nostaples

medical trials

I have looked into that before, but I have a number of health issues that disqualify me

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Original poster

throwitaway9 · 06/10/2021 16:34

@MrsRobbieHart

Do you still have all the waxing equipment? If so that’s what you need to do. Get on Facebook, create a business page. Call it something snappy and memorable. Eg: Pro wax big town. Then do competitive price list and share your page among all your Facebook friends, share on Instagram, Snapchat etc. And share to all local selling pages on Facebook and just keep sharing it. Every single day. Even if you think people are sick of seeing it, keep sharing. You need to be dogged. Do combo offers. Christmas offers etc.

Baking and dog treats etc requires massive outlay for ingredients and equipment. You also need to have your kitchen approved to sell food from it. And dog food is very highly regulated.

I don't have the equipment but I could save up for it. I did the whole Facebook/Instagram page last time but maybe I didn't push hard enough. Thank you

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Selfraising · 06/10/2021 16:36

What about working for a call centre? I used to work for a market research company, calling people and asking them questions basically! It was fine, not great, but helped! As long as you worked 12 hours a week, they were happy with whatever hours you booked to do. I would do an evening (4hrs) and a full day on a Saturday when mine were with their dad. You could also maybe pick up extra hours through the week if uni isn't busy at any time. I agree that a job is much better than a small business in terms of just getting money. Far less stress.

Elzbells · 06/10/2021 16:36

Go on agency bank for a residential home and cover the days/nights you don't have your child or studying

Mistymoors · 06/10/2021 16:37

There is always a shortage of good house cleaners if you can fit that in with uni . We went through three until we found the right one and the money is pretty good .

lifecoachingandotherbollocks · 06/10/2021 16:37

I think the dog biscuits is a no go, cakes etc can be hard to make money from and lots pf people doing it. Gentlemans club, no!

How did you market the waxing?

Could you get a job in a supermarket when your sons at his dads?

daisyjgrey · 06/10/2021 16:37

Contact your student rep/head of school and ask about hardship grants. We have about 4 or 5 that suit various circumstances and also an additional budget that we were given for Covid hardship.

Your irregular placement pattern will work hugely in your favour when applying for them as will having a child, between those two things it will essentially render you totally unable to work and the awarding board will see that.

Have you applied for the maximum amount of student finance?

Original poster

throwitaway9 · 06/10/2021 16:39

@daisyjgrey

Contact your student rep/head of school and ask about hardship grants. We have about 4 or 5 that suit various circumstances and also an additional budget that we were given for Covid hardship.

Your irregular placement pattern will work hugely in your favour when applying for them as will having a child, between those two things it will essentially render you totally unable to work and the awarding board will see that.

Have you applied for the maximum amount of student finance?

I have applied for the maximum amount, this is my second year. The university have been crap and are essentially the ones that have put me in this position. I have made three formal complaints, detailing my position. The first complaint I made was on 2nd September and I only heard back on Monday.

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MrsRobbieHart · 06/10/2021 16:40

Ok forget about waxing. You can’t be spending money when you’re trying to make money.

Cleaning is your answer here. This is what I did when I was a broke single mum with just 2.5 hours a day to work while my son was at nursery. 9 years later and I’m still going and have added other services. I have a full client book and a waiting list.

Have a look on FB for what other cleaners are charging. Price yourself somewhere between middle to top rate (never lowest). Do you drive? If not do you live somewhere you can walk/cycle/bus to clients? Use clients own products so you don’t have to buy anything. Turn up on time, do a thorough job, you’ll get clients in no time. People are crying out for cleaners right now.

lifecoachingandotherbollocks · 06/10/2021 16:42

I know a couple of waxers who specialise in intimate waxing

2boysDad · 06/10/2021 16:45

Cat sitter?

They charge a fortune where I am. You'll need to visit "on-site" twice a day. Give the cat/s their food and clean the litter tray if necessary. Our cat sitter gives our cat 30 mins "stroking" which he takes a picture of and then emails to us. It's quite reassuring.

Considering that his availability determines when we can go on holiday it's actually a big deal.

You can advertise on social media & set up a business facebook page.

just an idea....