To ask for short term money making ideas?

[Seabiscuit1]

Hi all, got myself into a bit of a pickle this month with my finances. Long story but expensive flat and my flat mate moved out leaving me with all the bills to pay on my own!
I have a job which pays £25,000 + commission but this isn’t enough to get me through the month. My credit rating is dire as I admit that I abused my credit card last year during a short period between jobs so loans and credit cards are out.
I don’t have any children so it’s just me and DP (Who also works but a very complicated situation means he isn’t able to contribute much at the moment) to provide for.
I have posted an ad on gumtree offering babysitting but does anyone have any other idea?
I used to work to management level in restaurants so was thinking of trying to find some waitressing Work. I’m pregnant though so i might not be the most desirable.
Any ideas?! I’m feeling pretty desperate!

Sell some stuff on eBay?

Is your credit rating good enough to switch bank accounts? HSBC are offering £150 at the minute.

How far along pregnant are you?

Could DP take out a CC short term then cut up after a month? I guess you couldn't do cleaning if you're too far along.

Is this likely to be just one month's cashflow problem? Have you got council tax reduced since flatmate had gone? Was your flatmate up to date? You're not liable for their rent, are you? Speak to everyone you can to muddle through.

Go on line and sell all your old books, dvds and cds etc.

Ebay any old clothes you have as small bundles.

Ring employment agencies that do one day jobs.

Any thing you bought recently enough to get a refund?

Any good label clothes you can sell?
C-ex buy dvds/games etc - some are worth a few £s.
Any money in cash back sites? Supermarket vouchers? Gift cards?

I forgot have you over paid gas or electric where you can ask for a refund?

I was thinking eBay. I could sell some of my clothes which I currently feel like I will never fit into again!
That’s a good idea about the bank accounts. I will have a look and see if I am eligible.
It really only is this month. As my job is commission based, I didn’t make much over the Christmas period so living off my basic. Next month I have a reasonable amount coming in so will be back on track.
I am scared to ask about DP’s finances as he is awful with them and they are likely in a worse shape than mine.
As I am the named tenant, I am unfortunately responsible for her rent. I will be moving somewhere cheaper as soon as I can but I don’t want to end the tenancy early.
I am 22 weeks and still fairly active so cleaning would be an option but I have no experience other than my own house so I don’t know how much business I would get.
I might have to ask my mum to help out but I really don’t want to feel like I have failed!

If you a local credit union they may give you a loan.

How would you find out if you have overpaid electricity? I definitely have as my meter as way behind what they estimated it to be last time I gave a reading.

Matched betting. You can make a few hundred quid in your first month. Get a 0% on purchases credit card via Martin Lewis site.

Does going to a credit union effect your credit rating? I’m desperately trying to get it back on track at the moment.

Rent your flat out for the weekend on airbnb and stay with your parents?
Can you ask your employer for an advance on next month's salary?

You need to get DP to 'step up'. It is absurd that you are scared to ask about his finances when you are pregnant with (presumably) his child. He will need to support you financially when you are on maternity leave - he can start now!

If you’re not too tired With your experience I would say waitressing would be the best way to get some cash over the next few weeks.
Yes to eBay/Facebook selling groups. Look for vouchers for money off and use any Tesco/Boots/Sainsbury’s points etc.

Not wanting to sound like your mum/bank manager but if you are 22 weeks pregnant and in a bit of a mess financially how are you going to cope on mat leave with no commission coming in. You say that your DP is bad with money but you need to get this sorted and sit down and write out a budget ASAP or things will get worse once the baby comes.

@seabiscuit1 You can either log in online to your gas and electricity accounts or just ring customer services and ask for your balance.

Take any unused consoles etc to CEX. Made over £100 before xmas on old games and consoles that we didn't use anymore.
Same with old mobiles.

It's very unlikely you will be able to just turn up to a credit union and get a loan. You usualy have to prove that you can regularly save before you can get your first loan with them.

Go down your local high street and see if fast food restaurants need a delivery driver? Sign up to temp agencies where I am local and not so local sports stadiums need extra catering staff on weekends/evenings but you might not get paid until next month for that. Delivery driver is cash in hand - assuming one of you drives and has a car.

Go down your local high street and see if fast food restaurants need a delivery driver? Sign up to temp agencies where I am local and not so local sports stadiums need extra catering staff on weekends/evenings but you might not get paid until next month for that. Delivery driver is cash in hand - assuming one of you drives and has a car.

Go throught dc toys and sell on local fb pages. Kept me going for a few months when maternity pay ran out

@londonrach The op doesn't have any children.

@sometimesMaybe I understand and I assure you my mother would be a lot harsher than you are!

I am very aware that I need to sort it out. I have previously been very careful with money. This very sudden change in circumstances has hit me very badly and living hand to month for the last year has hit me really badly.

Major career change (and salary cut!) then getting pregnant really wasn’t a sensible idea in hindsight.

Thank you all for your help. It’s good just been able to talk about it.

When I had a month like this, I phoned up council tax and asked to miss a month and make up the difference over the following 11 months. It was absolutely fine and they sent an adjusted bill the next day

Regarding DP, I am seriously considering going it alone. At least for a few months to see if he steps up. He is wonderful in every way apart from financially but the burden that him not paying his way is getting too much to cope with.

@teewee. That is a good idea. I am going to do that tomorrow. That’s £200 that I can save.