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Original poster

Quickest way to make £6k

80 replies

TammyTwoSwanson · 08/09/2021 17:25

Hi!
DH and I are currently renting, and we want to buy our own house asap. Our letting agents are awful and the already extortionate rent is going up soon! We've saved up part of a deposit, but need another £6k to buy to cover fees etc.

Dh works full time, and I'm a full time (mature) student. I know that me getting a full time job is probably a pretty quick way to make up the shortfall, but I couldn't until at least January because of my uni work and the kids.

We don't have any family we can pack up and move in with to save rent, and we don't have £6k worth of stuff to sell!

So does anyone have any genius and magic ways I can make six grand in my spare time? Or is this wishful thinking?

OP posts:
WhatAWasteOfOranges · 09/09/2021 17:52

Once you have a job you’ll have two salaries on your mortgage application too so will be able to borrow more…

KingsleyShacklebolt · 09/09/2021 17:55

Royal Mail are advertising for staff in sorting offices up to Christmas. All sorts of shifts. DS has just applied for Satruday and Sunday backshifts but there are also overnights, daytime, anything.

Assuming your DH works a 9-5, that sort of work would fit in perfectly for you.

Comedycook · 09/09/2021 17:55

Some of the ideas on here are ridiculous, sorry.

Take in ironing or wrapping Christmas pressies aren't going to make you 6k...plus you'd need business insurance.

Charley50 · 09/09/2021 17:59

Online tutoring can be £30-40 an hour if you're skilled. Or go on Fiverr.com and do less well-paid freelance? But tbh I agree that it will be v difficult unless you're an Insta influencer, and your time might be better spent finding a good job. What industry is it?

onelittlefrog · 09/09/2021 18:15

Unfortunately if there was an easy way to make that much money that required very little in the way of time commitment (which seems to be what you're after), everyone would be doing it.

You will have to wait until you are able to get a job. January really isn't far away. You could start looking in a few weeks.

Original poster
TammyTwoSwanson · 09/09/2021 19:50

Thanks so much for the replies, I really appreciate getting these ideas and perspectives!

I can't remember everyone's names, but to answer a few Qs: Yes ds gets DLA, but we aren't entitled to anything else. I honestly don't have time for a job in the evenings as ds is full on and half the time due to the school runs, appointments, uni etc, I do uni work when he's asleep. (A lot of my uni work can be slow and painstaking)

As soon as the next semester starts (couple of days time) I'll contact the careers team and see what they can help with, jobs wise. I've been looking for jobs online too. Maybe the best thing is to wait until I can work in January, as starting up anything time consuming like matched betting (I'd have to learn how!) just might not be doable. When I am working, I could hopefully put everything I earn towards a deposit and fees etc as we are managing on dh's salary now anyway!

I'm studying photography for those asking. Ideally I'd like to tutor or lecture on the subject, which will prob require further study, but that's on the long finger until we've sorted the house situation first. I could also enter some contemporary photography competitions - the prizes could help with a deposit too (not sure what my chances of winning would be though!)

We don't have many expensive stuff to sell, some gym equipment maybe? I'm going to go back and read the replies again!

OP posts:
Dashel · 09/09/2021 21:35

If you are selling stuff, remember not to just look in the main bit of the house.

When we sold our last house we decluttered the garage and got everything out of the loft and made a bit. We even sold some walling stone for good money that was lying around and some excess tiles left over from a job.

Tohaveandtohold · 10/09/2021 06:59

I can’t really think of a way to make 6k before January that those not involve working. Even if you get all these Christmas jobs or care work and do 2 nights a week, it’ll make a difference in terms of money and not affect your life or studies so much.
Since you’ve made it clear you can’t do any work till January, maybe you just shift your goal and plan to work from January, budget what you’ll get and plan from there.
Just as a side note, I noticed you’ve already saved the mortgage deposit and are looking for money for fees, etc, when we bought our house as first time buyers (almost 4 years ago now mind), all the fees we paid was certainly less than £3k, there was no stamp duty, we didn’t hire any removal company (just some man and van off gumtree), free boxes and some items in bags, etc. We almost didn’t think of buying as we thought we needed like 10k for fees, etc based on what other home owners have told us.
So maybe you can really cost things up and see if just a bit of sacrifice work wise can make all the difference you need.

Darbs76 · 10/09/2021 08:39

You can do matched betting and apply for a mortgage, you just need to do it from another account. I’ve made £1000 from it in 4 months but I’m not doing it a lot, some weeks not at all as I’m busy doing overtime at work at the moment. I’m also saving for a house deposit and doing 4hrs overtime every day at the moment and 8hrs on the weekend, it gets me another 2k a month which is making a massive difference to my savings. But I’m exhausted!

Chelbi · 10/09/2021 12:41

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pianolessons1 · 10/09/2021 12:47

What's the plan for a decent paying job after you finish studying? Photography isn't known for regular money......

Sleeplessem · 10/09/2021 13:26

Incredibly risky but stocks? Tesla share price for example has risen by 1800% since December 20. So if you’d have put £100 in December you’d have 180k now. This is obviously an extreme example and it’s risky but potential for huge gains if done correctly and isa wrapped.

Greenmarmalade · 10/09/2021 13:32

House buying takes so long anyway, so I would just take your time. You’ll also need to save a big chunk for solicitors, searches and surveys, and budget for doing it twice in case house purchase falls through (common ime).

Focus on saving when you’re employed.

Greenmarmalade · 10/09/2021 13:33

Just noticed your subject- you can make loads doing linked in portraits for companies and individuals. Plus family portraits; nurseries; Christmas family photo shoots.

Famousinlove · 10/09/2021 14:01

If you do photography can you do a few weddings? I don't know a lot about it so may not be your expertise but i know anything wedding related adds a premium!

Greenmarmalade · 10/09/2021 21:35

Even if it’s not your preferred style of photography, it’s your ‘bread and butter’ as my arty friends call it.

Rosewaterblossom · 10/09/2021 21:38

What is this match betting? Is it a scam? Sounds too good to be true

ShanghaiDiva · 10/09/2021 21:46

It’s not a scam.
www.teamprofit.com/
For all the details.

Lincslady53 · 13/09/2021 19:24

Could you not just take out a 3 year personal loan for £6k? In the time it takes you to save it, prices may well have gone up by more than that. And if your rent is going up it will make it more difficult.

NommyChompers · 13/09/2021 19:26

Clinical trials? I used to do them as a student - depends if you can find one with more outpatient than inpatient components to allow childcare, etc.

Lincslady53 · 13/09/2021 19:28

Just checked on Santander website. £6k would cost £178 per month over 3 years. Borrow the money now, and one shift a week in a local pub will pay it off.

Guineapigbridge · 13/09/2021 19:34

When was the last time dh asked for a payrise? Has he asked what he needs to do to earn a bonus? Could he take a small loan or advance from his employer?

Photography is a nice hobby...will it earn your family enough to have the lifestyle and home you want?

Muddywellies10 · 13/09/2021 20:01

I know a very well paid photographer who has specialised in weddings (atleast £1k per wedding and does around 40 a year), plus his other advertisement work. So photography can pay well if you are good and savvy on your marketing. There is a lot of demand for Christmas portraits of children and families. Could you do this as an extra in November/Dec?

IceLace100 · 13/09/2021 20:11

Ok here are my ideas:

1 Get a lodger if at all possible. I don't even care if this is within your tenancy, just do it.

2 you both need weekend jobs and evening jobs. I suggest hospitality. You really need to work every hour god sends. I'm thinking delivering pizzas, Deliveroo, Uber eats. You want to be working or sleeping!

3 no Xmas presents. Call friends and family now and set expectations. Tell them why. They will get it. If you feel bad, bake them some biscuits or something.

4 sell everything you can think of- old clothes, jewellery, books, games, electronics.

  1. Don't do match betting or anything daft with stocks like some people have recommended. Too risky- might end up in a worse position than you are now.
  1. Negotiate with the LL. thank for his offer then say you can pay x for the next 6 months or so. I suggest you offer to "split the difference". For example if your rent is currently 500 and he wants to put it up to 600, offer 650 for 6 months. Pick something mid way that might tempt him to allow you to stay.

Good tenants are hard to come by. Remind him that you have paid rent on time and are good tenants with no complaints. See what he says. Don't ask don't get.

IceLace100 · 13/09/2021 20:15

Another one

  1. Babysitting- post flyers around your area, ask friends and family and put on SM. Allows you to look after your own and another one. Good money.