Urgent money raising ideas needed

[whattodo36]

Ok I know I'll get a lot of blame etc but we've ended up in a situation where I need to desperately raise £300 and I can't think of any ideas so I'm hoping someone may suggest something I haven't considered.

The money is needed for food for the week and to pay a very important bill. There's no wiggle room on the bill as we've already tried.

I've been on countless loan websites all afternoon but due to really bad credit ratings we are getting nowhere. I've thought of selling things but we honestly don't have anything of any value to sell!

I've tried asking family and friends but they aren't in a position to help.

Can anyone think of anything we haven't thought of or can recommend a website that would loan with very bad credit ratings??

[whattodo36]

@ThisUserNameIsAvailableOk I haven't asked for anybody to and would never dream of asking so I'm really not sure why you felt the need to comment.

Re the breakdown, the bill part is £250 and the £50 would be for food. We've been told if we default then our energy will be switched off. We've paid the £50 already as a type of good will gesture but they aren't bothered.

I can't let it get to that point as I currently have an asthmatic 2 year old with pneumonia so not having electric is not an option. I will literally do everything I can to stop it getting to that point.

We don't qualify for food banks or benefits because we own our house (mortgaged) so nobody seems to want to help.

I work in education so I'm not skilled in anything else like gardening etc so I can't really offer to do those type of jobs (people would most likely pay me to stay away from their gardens )

[girlmom21]

OP I don't know if this will make a difference but if your energy bill is DD we get the first £70 in October. Could you pay some this month and some next taking that into account?

[girlmom21]

£70 reduction sorry

[jewishmum]

Not as quick as some methods, but I made £26 last time doing little surveys they pay a few pence for each. I'm now just over £5 collected just doing them when bored instead of scrolling. Plus you can get paid to PayPal or gift cards. My code gives a 40p start if you want to download Attapoll : iajzja

Also, dog walking can be a good bit to earn if you get a few dogs a week.

Your local council might refer you to places for a grant as well.

[jewishmum]

So you know it's not a scam..

[whattodo36]

Not sure why the thread has been reported. I'll get it deleted. I genuinely came here to ask people for advice. I don't want and never asked for people to give me money and I never would.
I'm sat here in tears tonight trying to figure stuff out and to think that people would report me for just asking an advice board for some advice just shows me that there really are some unkind people around.

Thank you to everyone who has kindly made suggestions. I will try and bung together as many clothes, toys, dvds etc and try and find a local car boot tomorrow. Your advice on that has given me some hope that I may be able to make more that I thought from doing that.

Thanks to everyone who has been kind.

[FriedasCarLoad]

I'd agree with the advice on obtaining food, selling everything you can, and looking for extra odd jobs.

I'd also suggest contacting CAP for urgent advice. They're free, impartial and kind, and they have lots of experience in helping out people in your position.

[YumYummy]

I think you would be eligible to use a food bank. Perhaps email your doctors surgery and see if they can help you get referred, explain about your DS’s asthma.

[StoneofDestiny]

Not sure in what capacity you 'work in education', but if you have the necessary clearances for classroom work it might make you suitable to do childminding at times, or pre/post school pick ups etc

[whattodo36]

@girlmom21 that's brilliant thank you, I had no idea it was starting that soon so I will definitely give them a call tomorrow if they are open to find out when I can use that

[FlorencePennnywell]

I think the answer lies in contacting the energy company again, in writing. You're hardly an unusual case and they shouldn't be making threats to you tbh

Pay them what you are able to comfortably. You don't have to be on direct debit either - I never have been? I just pay quarterly on an actual bill but I appreciate that I'm fortunate enough to be able to - my point is, you don't have to give them access to dip into your bank account

[StoneofDestiny]

Get to Citizens Advice too about your energy bill.

[MaryTruss]

swagbucks pay almost instantly for surveys in Amazon or PayPal vouchers - they add up really quickly. I don't understand why you'd be cut off -normally they'd fit a pre pay meter inc the debt which takes a while. Can you double check that what they've told you is correct?

[girlmom21]

@whattodo36

@girlmom21 that's brilliant thank you, I had no idea it was starting that soon so I will definitely give them a call tomorrow if they are open to find out when I can use that

I hope it helps! Reinforce you have a poorly toddler too. I'm sure there's something that would say they're not allowed to cut you off with a young child.

[XelaM]

Cashconverters take almost everything. Do you have a laptop you can pawn?

AmazonFlex pay weekly but it takes a week to be approved. It's a good way to make extra cash every week if you have a car and drive

[MaryTruss]

Also you can still visit a foodbank and claim benefits if you're a home owner, might be worth looking at one of the befits calculators to make sure you're getting everything you're entitled to

[LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet]

Have to say I always eye roll when people come on and tell a person who can’t get a payday loan to ‘get an overdraft’ 🙄

OP what are the consequences of not paying the bill in the next week?

[Greeneyegirl]

Have you registered with your energy supplier as a priority services register? I dont think they can cut you off with an under 5 in the house. www.ofgem.gov.uk/getting-extra-help-priority-services-register

You can probably do it through online account but may need to give them a call

[Crazycatlady83]

Some banks pay you to switch to their current account. Maybe try that?

[GreenLunchBox]

This might be helpful,OP

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/problems-with-your-energy-supply/if-youve-been-told-your-energy-supply-will-be-disconnected/#:~:text=If%20your%20supplier%20has%20signed%20up%20to%20the%20commitment%2C%20they,are%20disabled

"Most suppliers have signed up to an agreement called the 'Energy UK Vulnerability Commitment'. You can check if your supplier has signed up to the commitment by contacting them or checking their website.

If your supplier has signed up to the commitment, they won't disconnect you between 1 October and 31 March if you live with children under 16.

They also won’t disconnect you at any time of year if you:

are disabled

have long-term health problems

have severe financial problems

have children under 6 years old living at home

If your supplier hasn't signed up to the commitment, they should take your situation into account, but they’re not obliged to."

[NannyR]

Churches often run food banks and community minimarkets that are open to everyone - our church doesn't require an official referral.

[whatstodo20]

The churches near me give food to anyone, it's not like the council type food banks where you need a referral. Have a look online and see what churches are near you, I hope they can help. I'm not sure about the energy bill, maybe try pleading with them about you & your child's health condition? Maybe you can get more time

[whattodo36]

Thanks again everyone.

My plan for tomorrow/ next week is going to be to try and get as many things together for a boot sale. Then I'm going to call my bill company and question them threading cutting us off. I can get a letter from our Gp if needed for our poorly DS as hopefully that will mean they definitely can't cut us off.

I will also cancel my direct debit and see if we can just pay what we can for now and try and come to some sort of agreement with them.

I'll ask for this thread to be deleted now as my intention genuinely wasn't to upset or offend anybody.

[lemonjam]

There are some banks that are paying £150+ for you to switch to them atm - have a look on Money Saving Expert x

[nachoavocado]

It's just a standard warning, nothing personal