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Original poster

How can I make money I'm desperate?

138 replies

throwitaway9 · 06/10/2021 16:18

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.

OP posts:
amillionrosepetals · 06/10/2021 20:10

I can also recommend Prolific for surveys. Tip- install an extension called Prolific Assistant, it will alert you whenever there is a survey. I read somewhere that if you set it to check at anything less than 100 second intervals you won't get surveys but I don't know if this is true.
I also recommend OnePoll. Tip - keep logging in to the site to check for surveys as they rarely send emails saying surveys are there.

alostsock · 06/10/2021 20:12

Tutoring! Pay can be better than other work, there's more flexibility and you can do it online.

MaraScottie · 06/10/2021 20:14

OP, go to the Team Profit website, they go through all the steps, one by one and handhold you through the process. It takes time to get the hang of it but you'll be flying in no time. Just only do the offers they recommend, nothing more, nothing less - if you think you'll get carried away with betting, then it's not for you. The sites are very very clear about the difference between MB (guaranteed profit) and gambling (hugely hugely discouraged)

Low Risk casino is similar but your profit may go up as well as down, but it's hugely profitable once you stick to the process!!

JSL52 · 06/10/2021 20:14

Can you do bank shifts as an HCA if it's a medical course. You can work when your son is at his Dad's

Todayissunny · 06/10/2021 20:17

Online tutoring?
There are websites where you can advertise.

Keepitonthedownlow · 06/10/2021 20:19

Some great ideas here

CliffsofMohair · 06/10/2021 20:21

@toocold54

I would say cleaning is your best bet.

Have you applied for the council tax discount? I don’t think you pay any council taxes if you’re a student it may have changed now.

I also studied as a sinkhole parent and found it difficult so I joined a cleaving agency and they would text me when jobs became available and I would say yes or no. It was usually to cover holidays or sickness.

Worst comes to worst you could speak to uni about deferring for a year and going back to work so you have some savings ready for next year.

Niche work
HarrisMcCoo · 06/10/2021 20:23

Zero hour contract with an agency doing care work is your best bet as it offers flexibility which is what you are after.

marchingtotheend2021 · 06/10/2021 20:24

How do you join prolific ?

StartSelect · 06/10/2021 20:30

I use prolific and I’m on my laptop all day so get notified constantly and only clear around £40 a month. It’s handy for extra but don’t expect to earn much, most surveys are full within seconds. I used to do matched betting but gave up after using all the introductory offers, made around £800 during it though, definitely worth a go.

amillionrosepetals · 06/10/2021 20:40

@marchingtotheend2021

How do you join prolific ?
Here you go prolific.co/participants/
EvenRosesHaveThorns · 06/10/2021 20:49

Lots of part time festive supermarket jobs currently

Honestmary · 06/10/2021 20:51

Ironing is a big money maker in my area, there are always loads of people asking for recommendations on Facebook and you could pretty much start right away. Next are starting to recruit for Christmas temps and this my sound ridiculous but search for funeral service operatives as they are zero hours and you work only when you want to. The rota,s are done weekly so will work with your placement and uni and I know of many who are currently recruiting. Please don’t sign up to any MLM schemes, they are horrendous. You need a licence and insurance for dog walking, so not that easy, baking/foods stuff needs a H&M certificate I believe, forget the gentleman’s club. Maybe have a look through your house and see if there are things you could sell on eBay or Vinted? Good luck and I hope you manage to get something

Leibham · 06/10/2021 20:54

Dog walking? You could set your availability weekly. Where I am it’s £15 p/h minimum.

Sleeplessem · 06/10/2021 21:13

How much money you need to make?

My banking inside tip is to get an account with a few direct debits on and take advantage of all the current account switch bribes out there, easily can get £300 a year with no effort

skodadoda · 06/10/2021 22:39

Do you have any recommendations for sites to use please?

I do Toluna and Yougov, but it takes quite a long time to earn enough points for a payout.
Have you tried this:-

stint.co/for-students/

skodadoda · 06/10/2021 22:45

The information about Stint is here in i Money:-

inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/money/saving-and-banking/how-manage-money-student-jobs-hospitality-1229649

Neonplant · 06/10/2021 23:24

As someone who had a go at selling handmade products I'd advise against it. Lots of outlay for little return and you need to spend ages building a buisness/market. I think you'll end up spending money and not making any tbh.

Definitely better off looking for a job or temp work.

Polkadots2021 · 07/10/2021 05:25

Cleaning and ironing,I think you'd do very well. Also can you refer your studies for a year? Most unis are fune with you doing that.

Polkadots2021 · 07/10/2021 05:25

Defer not refer!

sashh · 07/10/2021 05:53

Are you anywhere near Birmingham? I worked a summer at National Express's network control but they have a call centre that always needs people, students usually do a 0 hours contract but have to do one shift a month.

As it is open 24 hours a day you can almost pick your hours.

Cherryana · 07/10/2021 06:06

My friend went on a three day Botox course. It was a £3000 outlay but now she makes at least £100 profit on everyone she pokes.

There was an initial outlay of £3000 but she had made her money back and was in profit by two weeks after her course.

spinachandchickpea · 07/10/2021 06:10

Tutoring school students in the subjects you did best at at school in GCSE and A Level. Maths is always in high demand but you can offer several subjects. You can explain the need for flexibility to the parents. Sign up to agencies. Take on a few students and give them each once a week lessons. You’ll need a disclosure check which isn’t a big deal but might take a few weeks to come through. Students can go to you or you go to them. Works best if you live in a city. I did this through my Master’s and beyond. Pay per hour is good and works better than retail etc if you want flexibility and not a lot of hours.

ShoppingBasket · 07/10/2021 06:17

As others have said prolific is good and yougov. Mobrog is another one who will be good for awhile but find it gets glitchy after a few payouts. Lifepoints and swagbucks are others.
I find they are handy as you can do them in your own time. Prolific does fill up quick though.

ShoppingBasket · 07/10/2021 06:19

Mystery shopping can be good for a little extra also apparently. I haven't tried it myself.