I've sold everything I have to sell and I'm still $250 short....

[elfwitch]

Anybody got any ideas on where I could drum up 250 bones quickly and relatively painlessly?

I've sold anything I have of value for quick cash (video games, DVDs, tapes, CDs, my mother's china). i have nothing left that would be worth anyone to buy.

If my hubby was a little better known artist I'd try selling some of his artwork, but who would buy concept art sketches from an unknown artist for a show that is still in pre-pre-production?

I can't give my web design skills away.

ARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!
:nuke:

Thanks for letting me vent.

[trotsky]

1. I suppose it depends on your pain threshold!

In grad school I was tempted to sign up for a research experiment. $500 to let them do a spinal tap on you.

Considering how broke I was, I was seriously tempted.

[elfwitch]

3. Interesting thought but...

that would take time away from the job I have that doesn't pay enough and got me in to this hole in the first place.

[MsFlorida]

2. Again, pain threshold

I've donated plasma a time or two back in my early divorced days. Not much worse than donating blood. Do call around though, some places pay more than others.

[FighttheFuture]

4. If you have the attitidue...

go into stripping. Just stay away form the drugs.

[elfwitch]

6. I don't have an attitude problem with it...

I just don't have the body or the time...

[FighttheFuture]

13. Every job requires time, so there's no getting around that. As for the...

body, well, don't sell yourself short! You never know until you try.

But you want quick cash, money for nothing. Borrow, borrow, borrow. Be careful of friends and fmaily. It's can be messy i fyou do not repay.

[bif]

5. How about tending bar

a couple nights a week?

[elfwitch]

7. stretched completely to the max time wise...

Can't pick up PT job outside the home.

[Q3JR4]

8. As my friends tell me when I complain about money,

it's time for you to go work the corner. ;)

[Cassandra]

9. What percentage do you get from the Rex Raygun stuff and...

how long does it take for the money to get to you. I don't mean to be nosy; just wondering if a bunch of us buying a little something would be helpful fast enough.

[elfwitch]

11. Not much really...

I only have the markup on the merch at about $1 per item.

[amazona]

10. have you tried blood plasma?

It's a bit icky to suggest but one of my acquaintances had a friend with a rare blood type who is able to sell his blood for $1,000 a month. Most of the people who sell blood that I know only get around $25 though because they have a common type. But if it's you and hubby, that's still $50. Not near what you need but maybe a help? The biggest hassle is that it takes so much time -- a couple, three hours.

Web designers are a dime a dozen around my area, don't know what to tell you there. I've had people actually come around and knock on doors where the grass is getting too long and offer to cut the lawn for $15 or $25 but you need a lawnmower for that and I don't think they do well; everyone around here who can afford it already has a service (subscription).

I haven't been faced with running out of things to sell because, in good times and bad, I have been something of a trash-picker and dumpster diving, always looking for good free stuff I can resell later. You may want to check some neighborhoods on the evening before trash pick-up and see what you can find -- maybe get enough stuff together and then have a garage sale on the next sunny weekend? That is mainly what I've been doing for extra funds but it isn't necessarily instant turn-around.

I'll try to beam some positive thoughts your way that you'll find a hidden treasure!

On Edit-- I read the replies and see that you are also short on time so my ideas are not such good ones. Darn! I think all I can do is send good wishes your way.

[elfwitch]

12. Good wishes are appreciated...

All of your ideas were good. They just all imvolved time I do not have.

[LynneSin]

14. Offer to houseclean a few houses for $25/pop

Heck, I'd give you $50 to clean up my apartment and clean out the closets

[elfwitch]

15. Falls under that time constraint...

I have no spare time. Half the time I don't have time to clean my own home as good as I'd like.

[gpandas]

20. i must humbly ask...

do you have less time than the rest of us?

[elfwitch]

25. I cannot comment on that because I don't know...

I work full time and when I get off work I take care of my son full time. My husband goes to school at night and takes care of our son during the day. We don't live in the same city as any of our relatives so we can't have someone watch our son while I go off to try to make extra money.

I don't know how your daily budget of time shakes out, but I have little time for much beyond full time job and full time child care.

[gpandas]

67. sounds like a full plate to me.

i never had a child, so i, of course, can't comment on that.

[fob]

16. Payroll advance at your friendly neighborhood usurious check

cashing center.

I don't really advocate this, but if it's an emergency type thing, you gotta do what you gotta do.

[elfwitch]

17. That wouldn't help either...

I'm $250 in the hole no matter how it shakes out. I need to magically create $250 EXTRA dollars. That is why I've been selling stuff. A payroll advance would only leave me $250 behind for the next pay period.

[LynneSin]

19. you'll be behind more than $250

those things will rake you over crazy on interest!

[7th_Sephiroth]

75. i might be able to help

IM me and tell me the whole story

[JVS]

18. If you have any extra radiators laying around, they'll fetch about $80...

for scrap metal

[elfwitch]

23. Both my radiators are being used right now...

they are in the cars.

[JVS]

24. Can you sell one of the cars?

[elfwitch]

27. Nope...

Need them both and neither one of them is paid off to sell anyway.

[ohiosmith]

21. Do you have anything you can hock? Jewelery, tools , firearms?

[elfwitch]

22. Anything worth anything I've already sold outright...

anything I've got left isn't worth much.

[ohiosmith]

29. Any vehicles you can part with temporarily? Cars, boats, motorcycles?

[GOPisEvil]

26. This bums me out.

Man...I should let you have my mountain of stuff I don't plan on using anymore. I doubt it would net you $250 but it might help. I was going to donate it all anyway.

[elfwitch]

28. You are very sweet!

Donate what you got to the fine people of Austin...
I'll figure out something.
I'm just not sure what yet.
Seeking inspiration.

[RebelOne]

30. Is there any way you could get a payroll advance?

Some companies do that.

[elfwitch]

31. Still leaves me $250 behind...

The reason why I am in this mess is that there was a freelance job that I was told I'd get paid for. They owed me $300 and at the last minute changed their mind about WHEN they were going to pay me. They put me off on the job for an undetermined amount of time.

I paid a couple of late bills with money I THOUGHT I was going to get paid. It was stupid to use money I didn't actually have in my hands, but who knew that this gig was going to go like it did?

A payroll advance would still leave me $250 in the hole.

[Caution]

32. not what you may want to hear

but it sounds more like your hubby needs to drop a class or two and take a part time job...if he can get $75/month (weekends should cover this) you shoudl be in budget.

MIght want to consider cutting back on a few things too...clip coupons, comparison shop for groceries, no cable, no AC (if you use AC this is a big savings), switch your phone service to basic (no call-waiting, cut back on long distance).

[ohiosmith]

33. Off the wall, but a way to make a ton of dough. Surrogate motherhood.

Initial fees are $20K or more with monthly payments of $750.00 to $1,000.00.

[elfwitch]

34. No fricken way!

I hated being pregnant. I would never do it again.
I love my son and am glad I have him. I would never go through pregnancy again even if I was to keep the child for myself. There is no way in hell I'd go through all that crap again and then just give it away.

[ohiosmith]

35. If you belong to a temple, do they have a relief fund?

[elfwitch]

36. I can't afford to "belong" to the temple I go to...

The memebership dues are WAY out of my budget range.
So I don't think I could qualify for sucha thing.

[ringmastery]

37. Do you not have a credit card?

$250 isn't that much. You should be able to get some credit card with a limit like that.

Also, prioritize your bill payments. Things you must pay are rent, power, electricity.

Other things are less important.

Things that aren't a priority you may have to cut: high-speed internet access, movies, cable tv, dinners out, cut your grocery food budget, go to places like costco, buy in bulk, etc.

[elfwitch]

38. I can't get a credit card any more...

Those were the first things that stopped getting paid when my money problems started. I already shop at Costco (thank God for that place!). I don't eat out. I don't even eat when I'm at work. I can't afford to bring lunch food.

I'm pretty much cut down to the bare bones on budget and still come up short. I got myself in trouble spending money I didn't have when I didn't get paid for a freelance gig when I thought I was going to.

[ohiosmith]

39. Not a solution to your immediate situation but may help in the future.

Maybe your husband's art could be placed on consignment with galleries or even displayed in local restaurants or craft boutiques.

[elfwitch]

40. He's not that kind of artist...

He does character design and pre-conceptualization work for animation.

Maybe if I could get 25 people to buy a colored sketch for $10 or 10 people to buy one for $25... hmmm... nah - it would never work.

[ohiosmith]

41. Never mind!

[AlecBGreen]

43. scan the puppy and let us see!

Seriously, do you have anytihng you can show us? I have a little $ and I love art. Lets make this happen!

-Alec

p.s. The temple has dues? BOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[elfwitch]

44. Okay - here's four

8.5x11 card stock - pen, ink, marker


8.5x11 glossy - computer colored from original pencil and inks


8.5x11 glossy - computer colored from original pencil and inks


8.5x11 glossy - computer colored from original pencil and inks

[ikojo]

72. About synagogue dues.....

AlecBGreen said:
"p.s. The temple has dues? BOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Jews do not pass the collection plate several times (not even once) during Shabbos services. Jews are not supposed to carry money on Shabbos so there is no collection plate.

Synagogue dues help pay salaries for the rabbi, cantor and office staff. They also help pay the electrical and heating bills.

Generally dues are indexed according to income and family size (somewhat). The synagogue figures that a person with a kid is going to use more of its services than a single non childed person or even a married couple with no children.

Most synagogues will also work with people who cannot afford to pay all the dues.

Christians who are active in their church also pay dues but they do it more piecemeal than Jews, by way of the collection plate. Just think of all the "offerings" that are taken during an average church service.

[HereSince1628]

42. Well, I'd say you are stuck between a rock and a hard place...

My experience is that something in between those grinding wheels, that is to say in your immediate life, will be broken and pulverized if you don't acceed to something unworthy of you....

If you have web skills and can successfully sell them if they are "discounted," it seems there is a place wherein you might play.

Working, for desperate people, is often getting riped off...

Good Luck!

[AlGore-08.com]

45. Why not ask us for a few bucks - - through ebay (extended suggestion)

You've already got over 40 posts worth of suggestions - - there are almost certainly enough folks in DU who would be willing to help you out. One of the safest ways for them to donate (and for you to be sure to get the money) is through ebay.

If your hubby has time, design some anti-Smirk thing that can be run off quickly and cheaply once you're paid (bumper sticker, button, t-shirt, 8x10 poster, whatever). It doesn't have to be an original slogan, just an original design. All you need is the design and the costs figured out. You don't actually make any until you receive payment.

If he doesn't have time to design something, run off some of his completed sketches as "limited edition prints" (again, after you're paid).

Either way, sell them on ebay. Advertise over here exactly what you're doing: you're selling these to raise $250 you need to stay afloat. Get a couple other DUers to volunteer to keep the thread kicked and/or post it at other progressive discussion forums. And beg, beg, beg for folks here to buy them.

If you sell 26 of them at $10 (or 52 at $5), you have your emergency cash & expenses covered. Keep in mind that shipping costs are not part of the sales price, and that most ebayers do not charge exact shipping costs: if it really costs $1 to pack & ship an item, they charge $2 or $3 and keep the extra as profit.

If you don't have an ebay I.D. with a rating high enough to allow you to sell - - find somebody who does. You probably know at least several people who earn extra cash that way.

[elfwitch]

46. that is a good idea - I have an ebay account...

I just really didn't think that anybody would pay $10 for one of the prints.

[AlGore-08.com]

47. My suggestion is that you try selling 25 @ $10

And if that doesn't work, try discounting them.

But I really think the key thing to make this work is to advertise the auction over here. And by "advertise", I mean "beg". ;)

[elfwitch]

66. ebay method

let's see if the first one sells
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2256893165

[AlecBGreen]

I would definitely pay $10

those are really cool! Does he take requests? Seriously, Im getting a tattoo and if he could draw it for me first...*drool* That would be worth WAY more than $10! Its right up your hubby's alley too: im getting an armored knight on a rampant horse. Whatcha say?

[elfwitch]

56. IM me and we can work it out

I'm sure he'd be amenable to whatever piece you wanted.

[AlecBGreen]

58. OK cool

whats the IM name? Mine is Abauserm4VT

[elfwitch]

61. I meant PM - my bad

[AlecBGreen]

52. I would definitely pay $10

those are really cool! Does he take requests? Seriously, Im getting a tattoo and if he could draw it for me first...*drool* That would be worth WAY more than $10! Its right up your hubby's alley too: im getting an armored knight on a rampant horse. Whatcha say?

[elfwitch]

65. ebay listing #1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2256893165
If I can sell one at $10 - I'll put up more.

[AlGore-08.com]

69. Okay, I did my part and bought it. :)

IMNSHO you should start a new thread promoting your ebay sales. :)

[tigereye]

55. I think someone would

they are really well done!

Guess you have already done the penny roller thing and checked pockets in all your closets. That's what I do when I am short. Check with your credit union... they often offer a loan for good rates ( although that would also be more you had to pay back).

OR Ask your parents as a last resort. Parents often remember what it is like to be young and starting out with kids. Plus they don't want the little one to be short of stuff, either. That is what parents are there for, sometimes, when you are stuck. It is hard to ask, but as my mom says, we want to help you while we are still here. :)

[elfwitch]

59. I don't have parents

My mother is deceased and my father is completely out of the picture. His parents help out when they can but are far worse of financially than we are. His dad is a cop in a small city and his mom works at a meat packing plant.

[tigereye]

64. sorry

I am lucky to have both of mine still.

How about a yard sale or benefit by some music or art pals?

well, good luck.

[qwertyMike]

48. Not to be forward

but can hubby not get a gig anywhere?
When I was hungry I worked supermarkets, bookstores, anything....

[elfwitch]

51. because...

He is a stay at home dad and a go to school at night guy. That is why neither one of us has any extra time. No job he could get right now during the day would be enough to offset the cost of putting our son in daycare. He goes to school at night, which is why neither one of us can get a PT night gig.

[qwertyMike]

53. Every night?

[elfwitch]

57. No on nights he isn't in school he is doing his homework...

Animation is a hellishly long and time consuming process.
15 seconds of animation can take 100+ hours to construct.
You cannot get anything done (painstaking process, ultra detail oriented) with a three year old bugging you every five seconds.

[Beer Snob-50]

49. amatuer night at hte local strip joint?

just a thought.

[qwertyMike]

50. You aslo may want to look at your life

The Big picture . . .I'm sure you love this man . . .but I've gone far enough

[elfwitch]

54. He is not a deadbeat...

Not by any measure of the word. He is a Full Time Dad and a Full Time Student. These problems will disappear once he gets done with school and can start doing the job he is currently training for.

Until then we are a one income family and I haven't gottena raise in three years. The same amount of money just isn't gonig as far as it used to.

[Shananigans]

62. Not sure what you are looking for here....

someone to give money for free? Although that IS possible, it's unlikely. It just seems that if you don't have time for anything, then there is no way to make money.

Even donating plasma is a very low-time committment but would net you some extra bucks...Maybe you could bring the kid too. I'm not sure how selling stuff on ebay would take less time than that, though.

Also, there are PT jobs where you could bring your kid. Places like the YMCA and other fitness groups have childcare rooms and are always looking for people to pick up a few shifts a week. I hear ya on the working thing though. I work both a full time and a part time job and I am tapped for energy by Sunday night, that's for sure.

Best of luck to you, and if you find a miracle on how to make money send it my way!!!!

[Dr Fate]

60. I wish you luck. I am in a similar situation.

Try night jobs. You can make 250 in a week or so w/ even minimum wage...

You may try a yard/garage/sidewalk sale as well...

[ohiosmith]

63. Is it possible to take on any special projects for your employer

that you could work on at home?

[LWolf]

68. Just drive on out here to so cal with your truck,

and I'll clean out my garage. I'll load you up with a bunch more stuff to sell.

Since crossing states seems drastic, maybe you can find someone like me with too much junk and an antipathy to garage sales!

[sleepyhead]

70. Child care in your home?

Maybe you could pick up a few bucks from other busy moms if you are at home anyway, and you do have experience with a little one.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

71. computer?....just kidding ya

[KittyWampus]

73. Have Your Husband Babysit While He's Watching Your Son

if he has to tend to your son during the day... why can't he also make some money watching someone else's kid at the same time?

Plenty of working mothers looking for affordable, safe and dependable childcare.

[elfwitch]

74. KICK!

As a result of some very good advice I have put some of my hubby's art up for sale on Ebay.

Check out this post for more details:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x1394026