Earning extra cash

pavlovs_dog

A bit of background - im a student in first year of a four year course. so far i've done very well to keep way out of debt, and i'd like to keep it that way. i have a part time job at argos, where my wages vary slightly with the season.


come the end of june, im going to have a lot of spare time on my hands - about three months to be precise. i dont want to rest on my laurels - i intend to use this time to earn some readies.


facts of the matter are

-i want and need to earn money over the summer (am likely to have a flat to furnish come september)

-i dont think my sanity could cope with working extra shifts at argos, assuming that extra hours were available

-being on a payroll isnt really an option.



my initial idea was to offer childcare/babysitting service. there are going to be a lot of parents who have to work whilst their kids are out of school over the summer. i am a mature, responsible girl, who loves kids, can cook, knows basic first aid etc - i think you could trust me to look after your kids. basically my aim was to take them out and about (there are lots of free, kid friendly stuff in the local area) and wear them out!!!

idea 2 - dog walking. fine in theory, not overly keen on the idea of poop scooping. but if needs be...

idea 3 - ironing for other people. im one of those freaks who just loves it. put the board up in front of the tele, stick a film on and i'll go at it for hours.

idea 4 - paper round. not exactly glamourous, but, again, if push comes to shove...

idea 6 - ebaying. other half makes some money through this, but it can be very hit and miss. was contemplating making jewellery or craft items to sell, either here or...

idea 7 - at car boot sales. failing that, my other idea, during the really hot summer weather, was to make homemade lemonade and sell this at boot sales. not sure whether we could do this, from a health and safety aspect tho?

idea 8 - work in a small local shop/pub restaurant were they wouldnt put you on payroll. (finding such places easier said than done..or is it?!)


anyway, the points of this thread are

1) what do you think of my ideas? do you think any of them could be successful?

2) do you have any ideas on what else i can do to earn cash?

jennyjo_2

i often see cakes and pies which are homemade sold at car boots, so lemonade should be ok

how about pet sitting/dog walking, it's just the time when lots of people will be on their hols

Becles

From a parental point of view, I would be wary of leaving children with someone in your situation.

Please don't take that personally at all. I'm sure you are a smashing person and would look after the children very well.

However professional childminders will have some sort of liability insurance in case of accidents. They are registered with the local authority and have been police checked. They are well aware of educational and other regulatations that apply to looking after children. I would always check someone out before leaving my children with them and if you haven't got these checks, I would not be happy leaving them with you. Again I stress this is not a character attack on you personally - just people in general who do not have these checks. Parents are very paranoid people these days!

If you are just taking on neighbours or friends of the family children and the parents know you well, you don't have to worry about this bit so much.

The other thing to consider is where will you look after them? If you are looking after them in your house, you will need safety equipment like stair gates and cupboard locks. Some children may need toilet seats and they will need plastic plates and cups for meals and drinks. When you leave children, you tend to expect them to supply all the toys, craft materials, play dough etc. If you haven't got these it's all extra expense.

Just my thoughts and please, please don't take it personally

Fran

pavlovs_dog wrote:

facts of the matter are.................


-being on a payroll isnt really an option.

............Why?

toozie_2

As a Mum I'm afraid I do agree with Becles.

A local family run chain of petrol stations has a large turnover of staff, and always takes on reliable students when they're home for holidays.

I live in a tourist area, so here there is alot of seasonal work, 'cash-in-hand so to speak'. Don't know if thats an option. For example local attractions, ice cream sellers, guides, extra assistance in shops, waiting-on in pubs, cafes, resteraunts.

Car valeting at a large garage.

Selling at boot sales is good, but you have to sourse your goods.

My local Kwik Save usually employs 'A level' students, and young people home from college. But you may find that worse than Argos.

Good luck

Spendless

What's the reason you can't go on a payroll (cos you must be on one at Argos).

Our Tescos advertises for temp staff in summer so they have cover for when their permanent staff are on their hols.

Last year in a photography shop, i saw ad ad in their window asking for someone just like you, a student to work there for the summer months which is one of their busiest times.

elona

I think the idea of doing ironing is a good one as there is a laundrette near me that charges £12 an hour for ironing. Obviously that is not what I am suggesting you charge as the market around you could be very different.

pavlovs_dog

someone's attacked my post!

its been renamed and had loads of stuff cut out of it

as i explained in the original post before the fairies came along and attacked it... i have independent student status, which means i am completely self financing and receive nothing from my parents towards the cost of my education. if i breach my personal income allowance for the year, it could affect loan entitlement, and because my wags fluctuate quite a bit i dont want to be relying on it to have to pay for my course costs, accommodation etc. ive done bloody well to stay out of debt so far, and i am fully intent on graduating owing only my student loan.

i would rather save what is left of my alllowance for my steady job than using it to earn a pittance in another job that i will leave after the 3 months. that is why i dont want to go on a payroll.

pavlovs_dog

Becles wrote:

From a parental point of view, I would be wary of leaving children with someone in your situation.

Please don't take that personally at all. I'm sure you are a smashing person and would look after the children very well.

However professional childminders will have some sort of liability insurance in case of accidents. They are registered with the local authority and have been police checked. They are well aware of educational and other regulatations that apply to looking after children. I would always check someone out before leaving my children with them and if you haven't got these checks, I would not be happy leaving them with you. Again I stress this is not a character attack on you personally - just people in general who do not have these checks. Parents are very paranoid people these days

i completely understand this, it was something that had crossed my mind.

my home town is relative small - everyone knows everyone type of thing, which could swing in my favour. also, i was thinking more along the lines of older kids than little 'uns, and as an all-day babysitter rather than advertising myself as a professional childcare. i would never hide the fact that i wasnt a professional childminder to get a job!

no offence taken whatsoever. the whole reason behind the post was to test out the feasibility of the ideas, and look for other suggestions, so thank you for your response!

p_d

pavlovs_dog

me again! (brain can only cope with so much info at once!)

i tried tescos last summer...interview went great and job was in the bag until i mentioned that i was a student, so i would be wary of trying them again.

basically, my reasons for doing this - i would go mad if i just did nothing all summer, and secondly, im probably going to have to furnish my first home come spetember. like many of you, im just looking for ways to help make the ends meet.

elona

Try putting cards in window of newagents or on playgroups etc advertising ironing - I mentioned earlier that laundry near us charges £12 per hour!!!!