2nd job ideas - self employed

confirmer1980

Hi everyone,

I work for the fire service on a shift basis and have 4 days between my shifts where I could do another job as I have a fair amount of credit card debt that needs paying off.

I am trying to think of possible ideas of what I could do in the days off to gain some extra money, ideally something where I am self employed, as a lot of shop work etc want regular days and as I work on a 8 day week this isnt possible.

Does anyone have any ideas of what I could do that does not cost a large amount of money to get trained up?

many thanks for any responses.

JayneTay

There are lots of things out there - its up to you which direction you want to take:

1. Direct sales (catalogue distribution)
2. Mystery shopping
3. Ebaying
4. Can you make anything? You could sell what you make.
5. Odd jobs for people/cleaning/gardening.

Its hard because if you aren't on set shifts these are the only things you can do - I have the same prob.

Jayne x

starrygal

Have you looked into driving taxis/minicabs? There are some threads on here about it if you do a search.

starry x

Firebill

What about seeing what other watch members from your station do and seeing if you fancy any of those ideas. I put a list together when I was trying to find an idea parttimejoblist. Hope it can help you.

It's just a list of ideas but might help you start.

Gardening,
Window cleaning
Taxi
Trade jobs
Van driving

!
Accountant
Aerobics Classes
Affiliate Marketing Business
Airsoft Business
Animal Behavior Consultant
Ann Summers
Answering Service
Antiques
Antique Restoration Service
Apartment Locator
Appliance Repair Business!
Architect
Art Gallery
Assembling Products!!!!!!!!!!
Aquarium Maintenance Business
Auto Sales
Avon

londoner01

What kind of skills do you have?

Could you be a supply teacher or teaching assistant?

Signing up with a temp agency?

Odd jobs man would work really well particularly if you have any skills to work as electrician or plumber as those are always in demand!

fluffpot

you need to be a registered electrician for all but the smallest of electrical jobs these days
Don't forget insurance if you are going into people's homes

david69_2

stripper?
If thats a no no then you try an agency work driving work etc

w211

Taxi driving/minicabing is a definite no-no if you have credit card bills to pay off.


To get started you need a bit of capital behind you, then you have to find work as a newbie in a time of recession like this.


You will need to be licensed by your local authority as a taxi/minicab driver. You will most likely need an enhanced criminal record check (this will take up to a couple of months or so), a medical (which will cost about £100 from your GP), need to apply for the appropriate licence as a driver (for London it's £306 for three years), then you may need to study for a knowledge/topography test - though as you're in the fire service I guess you get out and about a bit in your area so that probably won't be a problem.

Then you need to get yourself a car if you haven't already got a suitable one. Then some local authorities will want a particular engine size (not less than 1.6-litre usually) and/or a certain age.

Then you need to get appropriate hire and reward insurance - take your existing car (if suitable) insurance and double or triple it.

You may be able to hire a car - but that is probably not worthwhite if you're doing it part time.

Then you need to get it licensed by the authority to see if it's fit for purpose (£114 a year for London). Then it will probably needs to be MOTd twice a year to comply with those regulations.

Then you need to find a company (if you're a minicab - because they're prebooked only) which will provide you work, you may then have to pay them a circuit/rental fee a week maybe £80-£150 depending where you are, or you may pay commission on jobs you do.

If you can't find a company, you'll then need to look for your own work (essentially you're starting your own business) - you'll need to advertise (then what will happen if you can't cover a job becuase you're doing your other job), you may need an operators license to take bookings (about £1,500 for five years in London), so you may need to ask permission from your local council to change use of your home to business use..... then you need to register as self-employed, maybe get an accountant...consider fuel costs, tyres, servicing, repairs, increased likelihood of having an accident...

:eek:not easy!:eek: (sorry for the ramble, but I'm in the job (google image my username, though I mainly do the exec stuff), and I know it's a hard job to get into!)

patman99

As you are already a fireman, do you live in the same County where you are employed ?. If not, why not sign-on as a retained fireman.

I have been told that Suffolk Fire service has a large number of LFB fire-fighters on it's retained list. They get £1100 a month for their services.
I'm sure other Counties pay similar.

confirmer1980

hi thanks for all the replies guys.

Some of my watch members do specialist stuff such as tree surgery, plastering etc. Will have a think from your ideas, cheers all

Hoody

None of your mates looking for someone to help doing some laboring? If not then gardening will probably be the easiest to get started with? Also being in the fire service do you not have to get permission to work on the side? (assume you have done this anyway?)