Summer Holiday Cash

If London is proving more costly than you imagined, and the chances of finding the cash to fund a holiday in the sun seem as likely as Prince William asking you out on a date, then fear not, we have come up with some cracking ideas to help you make some cash quick.

Ask your boss for some overtime. If you or anyone in your office is snowed under at work, or if people are taking time off to go on holiday, look after their kids or go on maternity leave, suggest to your boss that you work a couple of hours overtime in return for some extra cash - this is especially good if you are temping as you'll be paid time and half!

Party and get Paid: Instead of spending your evenings in front of the TV, join a hospitality agency and earn some extra cash (plus tips) a couple of nights a week working at some of the City's most exciting parties and venues. Try Brightsparks (www.brightsparksuk.com), or if you're a guy who doesn't blush try Butlers in the Buff (www.butlersinthebuff.co.uk). 

One man's junk is another man's treasure!    If you have been here awhile, you've probably accumulated a shed load of junk which you no longer use, need or remember buying. Collect it up, take it your local car boot sale and flog it for as much as you can. If don't fancy dragging your ass out of bed at an ungodly hour on a Sunday morning then try selling your stuff on ebay.

Sell your Old Books: If you have a stack of books propped up against the wall in your bedroom, doing little more than gathering dust, why not sell them on Amazon or the daily second-hand book market outside the National Film Theatre under Waterloo Bridge?

Help thy Neighbour: Design some leaflets, and pop them through the letterboxes in your neighbourhood, offering to help with gardening, decorating, dog walking, baby-sitting, cleaning etc.

Save mankind: Sign up for a medical trial with www.trials4us.co.uk.  Some trials can require as little as a one-hour appointment once a month and the fee received for participating might even cover your holiday.  

Get paid to go shopping: Now, usually I am the first to say if it's too good to be true it probably is, but mystery shopping for a reputable agency can be a real little earner. Companies like Retail Eye (www.retaileyes.co.uk) and Retail Maxim (www.retail-maxim.co.uk) regularly have assignments all over the UK - register to receive email alerts for assignments in your area.