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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How can I make £1000 quickly?

238 replies

QuestionableMouse · 16/12/2023 10:01

Not a begging thread! Even if people offered money I wouldn't take it!

My car caught fire driving home from work last night. The engine is fucked and it'll never run again. I'll get probably £3-400 scrap value for it so that's a start. Realistically looking at about £1000 for a new car - I can't get to work without one (genuinely - the closest public transport stops miles away and due to the condition of the lanes it's not safe to walk the rest of the way!)

I'm sorting some stuff out to go on vinted which might get me another £50 or so. And some models/pocket dragons that will get about the same.

A loan or a credit card isn't an option - I'm already struggling monthly without adding another payment!

OP posts:
Bin85 · 16/12/2023 10:02

Babysitting
Ironing
Present wrapping service

NoSquirrels · 16/12/2023 10:05

Switch your bank account - Nationwide offering £200 to use their switch service. Plus, if you’re eligible they’ll give you an overdraft that’s interest-free for 12 months.

NalafromtheLionKing · 16/12/2023 10:05

Is there casual work near you (pub, supermarket etc) where you could pick up some shifts?

closingdownsale · 16/12/2023 10:09

Weekend and evening event staff temping with an agency.

I made £1000 doing that a few years ago, basically finished my day at work in an office, then went to the temping shift. Mainly stuff for events like weddings or rotary club dinners etc.

It was exhausting doing two jobs, but actually kind of fun. You meet some interesting people because most people doing are there for the same reason as you! Quick cash!

NoSquirrels · 16/12/2023 10:10

Do you have 10 bank accounts or savings accounts? If so you can connect them to YouGov finance who pay £5 per bank account to be able to access your data for 6 months - but the payout threshold is £50 so you’d need to be able to get 10 connected to be paid quickly.

MistletoeandJd · 16/12/2023 10:14

Could the cars spares be worth more then scrap value? You may need a mechanic to know but often parts worth more then scrap. Sorry no other ideas this must be a nightmare at this time of year =/

Elmeux · 16/12/2023 10:14

NoSquirrels · 16/12/2023 10:10

Do you have 10 bank accounts or savings accounts? If so you can connect them to YouGov finance who pay £5 per bank account to be able to access your data for 6 months - but the payout threshold is £50 so you’d need to be able to get 10 connected to be paid quickly.

This sounds interesting. Have you got details?

NoSquirrels · 16/12/2023 10:15

A thought - if you can’t get to work with no car, would your employer be open to an advance on wages to be paid off over 12 months? I know you said no loan but then at least you’d have a bit more time to make extra money rather than £1K immediately.

EvilRingahBitch · 16/12/2023 10:16

Raid any points cards you've got (nectar/boots/tesco) and use them for buying food for as long as they'll last. Not much but it all adds up.

I agree that bank account switching is the single easiest way to make a couple of hundred. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-best-bank-accounts/

A few shifts in a pub at adult minimum wage will also make a big difference, even though you'll be paying your highest marginal tax rate on it.

PostOfficeInTheCoop · 16/12/2023 10:17

Would the insurance not pay more than scrapping it? I know it will put monthly payments up but surely not that much.

RethinkingLife · 16/12/2023 10:18

Elmeux · 16/12/2023 10:14

This sounds interesting. Have you got details?

Show quote history

https://www.yougov.finance/

YouGov Finance

Web site created using create-react-app

https://www.yougov.finance

PostOfficeInTheCoop · 16/12/2023 10:18

In the meantime do no colleagues travel from near you? I hope you get sorted anyway it does sound stressful 😔

WartyDoris · 16/12/2023 10:18

I know you said you didn’t want a loan or credit card OP, however please consider your local credit union. They’ll take your whole situation into account and may be able to offer you different options that will actually enable you to move forward rather than pushing you into debt . Apply to your local credit union

Credit Union loans

Information about credit unions, how credit union loans work and how to find a local provider.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/borrowing-money/types-of-borrowing/loans/credit-union-loans/

EvilRingahBitch · 16/12/2023 10:23

NoSquirrels · 16/12/2023 10:15

A thought - if you can’t get to work with no car, would your employer be open to an advance on wages to be paid off over 12 months? I know you said no loan but then at least you’d have a bit more time to make extra money rather than £1K immediately.

That's also a great idea. Combine it with a major MSE overhaul of all your outgoings. I'm sure you're already pretty frugal but if you really work at it you should be able to find a tenner a week you can shave off your bills to repay a 500 quid loan from your employer. Alternatively it'll give you time to find an evening shift job once a week which is a big ask at short notice but not if you have a few months to look.

ectoone · 16/12/2023 10:24

WartyDoris · 16/12/2023 10:18

I know you said you didn’t want a loan or credit card OP, however please consider your local credit union. They’ll take your whole situation into account and may be able to offer you different options that will actually enable you to move forward rather than pushing you into debt . Apply to your local credit union

Edited

Can you get a credit union loan straight away? I was under the impression you had to be a paying member before you could do this! I'm in Scotland though so perhaps different rules?

Donmeistersleepmachine · 16/12/2023 10:25

Take car to breakers yard or sell some clothes you've never worn or not in ages on depop or the like

ectoone · 16/12/2023 10:26

Ignore I think I might be about 20 years out of date Blush

Switchingoff · 16/12/2023 10:29

Set up new current account with bank that doesn’t pay switching bonus
set up a couple of £1 DDs with charities
switch account to one with switching bonus (look at MSE)
once switch has completed switch again to another

should get you £300 or so

Shiningout · 16/12/2023 10:33

In all honesty if there was a quick and legal way of making a grand very quickly everyone would be doing it. You can certainly some of the suggestions above which would help but this could still take a couple of months. I think a loan is your best option although I understand that's not what you want to do.

Onceuponaheartache · 16/12/2023 10:34

Was the car not insured?

TheSquareMile · 16/12/2023 10:36

What did your insurers say when you rang them?

2dogsandabudgie · 16/12/2023 10:39

Perhaps the OP had 3rd party only insurance.

99victoria · 16/12/2023 10:39

TheSquareMile · 16/12/2023 10:36

What did your insurers say when you rang them?

That's so passive-aggressive 😅

PlaidCushionProductions · 16/12/2023 10:43

Lodger?

Original poster
QuestionableMouse · 16/12/2023 10:44

Insurance are saying that it's mechanical failure and they're "looking into it". To be honest the man I spoke to didn't sound like he has a clue so I'm going to ring them back on Monday!

I work alone in a private house so no one to share lifts with and no chance of getting an advance on my wages!

Will look into switching my bank account! Been looking for temp work but there's only delivery driving jobs popping up atm which isn't very helpful!

OP posts: