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??

It was on a phone call to BT that we got told this. It's because there have been a few payments that have been less than the direct debit. I've explained this in my post a second ago so hopefully it makes a bit more sense now. We are trying our hardest to keep on top of it but it's getting to be too much. Like I've said, I know it's our own fault for not predicting the amount of debt that would have accrued.
Teaching English is a good shout. I will look in to this in the morning!
I'm definitely going to try calling British Gas again on Monday and just laying the whole situation bare and seeing if we can get anywhere.

www.fairforyou.co.uk/food-club-card

This isn't immediate but may help out in the future of you qualify and have an iceland nearby

I really do hope that people don't do that sort of thing.

Sorry just realised I didn't reply about the food banks. We have only one in our town and you need the vouchers, when I've done the benefits calculations online it says that we can't get them but I think I might need to go in to our local CAB office this week and see if that's right as hopefully they may just at least be able to provide something for the kids. My freezer is currently empty but I have half a bag of chips and some fish fingers and some bread and ham so I've got enough to last for the kids until I can get to the CAb when they open.

Babysitting is a good shout with your TA experience and DBS.

And if you have nectar card or Tesco Clubcard you can use the vouchers directly at the till - you don't have to wait for the paper ones to arrive

What geographical area you. I’ll see if there are any dedicated funds/groups.

Have you applied to British Gas energy support fund? They do expect you to face taken support from one of their partner organisations.

ps they can’t just cut you off.

www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/british-gas-energy-trust.html?source=BGet-Google-PPC&cid=PPC.cid_cname=UK_Brand_BG_Energy_Energy%20Trust_Modern%20Search&gclid=CjwKCAjw4JWZBhApEiwAtJUN0BUC055iNn6z0L-T22PZctg1lB6z_Y9MI66x3JgV-4RYs2DmmQDdYxoCdpQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Echoing pp that they can't just disconnect you - worst case scenario you'll end up paying the debt off on a prepayment meter.

What?

you hope people don’t do boot sales?

Boots advantage points too. Check all cards like that. The McDonald's app gives you enough points for a meal or whatever the first time you use it.

Too good to go app for magic bags, olio.

Contact some churches nearby, they will help.

What does your DH do? Can he take an extra job?

Just to reiterate what I've said previously, and also what mumsnet hq have said. Please don't private message about sending money. I've had a few messages and although I thank you so much for your kindness and generosity I would never accept money from people online. I would never want people to be put in that type of vulnerable position. Again thank you very much for the offers and it's a very kind thing to do but it can't be accepted.

I can post the messages on here to prove I have declined if needed but the only reason I'm putting this response on here is because I don't want people to be sending these messages as I feel they are making themselves vulnerable.

Could you explain a bit more about what this means please x

Op, you say you are in debt with things other than energy bills, so you actually have outstanding debts for credit cards/loans etc? Because if you do you are far better contacting step change and transferring all of your debts (including the energy debt) and then working with them on your income/expense to pay off a suitable monthly repayment. Best thing I ever dad. I set mine up 3 years ago and pay £70 a month and it will be paid in 4 years. It gave me the breathing space I needed, froze interest and made my life much less stressful.

He's a hgv driver, currently does 'tramping' which involves being out working most days and nights so unfortunately he needs to sleep when he's off to make sure he is safe to be on the road

Luckily we do this already but thank you for the suggestion. That is the only debt we have and we pay it off at £50 a month which is much more manageable than the alternative.

The gas and electric is building up debt because of how much they want to charge us each month and so every time we pay even a tiny bit less than what they want it builds up.

As well as food banks, try searching for local Community Fridges and Community Pantries which anyone can go to without a referral.

And download the Olio app where volunteers collect surplus food from supermarkets and list it all for free. Around 9pm is usually the best time to look on there after evening collections, and tomorrow night should have a good amount of excess food due to them being closed on Monday.

Op, if you are in a debt management plan ahead then you absolute CAN add this energy debt to the plan and pay it that way. Honestly, call them.

Nearby churches might have a fund to help you.

This time of year, people need help tidying their gardens.

Dog walking/pet sitting?

House cleaning? Garage cleaning?

Are you in the union? I know Unison have a welfare section and you can call them for help. Alternatively your employer may have a phone line that they provide (I’m local authority and we have one for debt, legal issues, health and well-being - it’s independent from the employer).

If you are near a gurdwara (sikh place of worship), so long as you are not intoxicated or smell of any substance, and you take your shoes off and cover your head, you can go there to eat as often as you like. It's all vegetarian and its a free kitchen.

I didn't realise this!! That might be the best option for reducing our monthly payment! Thank you

Can't imagine you could make much from deliveroo using your own car and petrol.

www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/british-gas-energy-trust.html?source=BGet-Google-PPC&cid=PPC.cid_cname=UK_Brand_BG_Energy_Energy%20Trust_Modern%20Search&gclid=CjwKCAjw4JWZBhApEiwAtJUN0BUC055iNn6z0L-T22PZctg1lB6z_Y9MI66x3JgV-4RYs2DmmQDdYxoCdpQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

If your electric bill is a fixed DD it's probably on an overpayment level at this time of your. Cancel the DD, submit an actual meter reading and only pay what you actually owe. It could buy you a bit of time.

Look for community food banks etc.

Seek any work you can - offer to clean, babysit or iron in your community.

Can you earn anything at all on something like task rabbit?

Ask for a couple of shifts in a local pub.