Here is a list of what works & what doesn't work for me.
Overtime.
I always accept any overtime offered at work, we only get paid our standard pay rate but it all helps, though there has been none offered for the last year.
I do 4 lunch duties a week, it is the hardest part of the day, I regularly get pushed, shouted at & sworn at as the students realise that we aren't actual teachers & we have very little backup. I stand my ground where possible but refuse to tackle the more aggressive students as I'm not prepared to be used as a punch bag.
I receive £8 per day per term before tax. These duties can be taken away at any time & will be soon.
Dog Boarding.
This has been successful in the past but this year all the bookings I had were cancelled when people cancelled their holidays because of the recession. I have 2 dogs booked for a week each next year, I charge £10 per dog per day, the owners provide everything the dog needs to eat, I provide the walks & the cuddles.I have tried to sign up to various boarding agencies but they will not accept me as I am only available during school holidays.
Knitting.
I have knitted scarves on & off for a few years for a couple of years I knitted in eyelash wool, then I left it for a year & this year I knitted in Cancan, I only sell to my work colleagues, I don't knit fast enough to make it worth while taking a stall at a Christmas Fair. I won't be doing this again as our current head doesn't allow it.
Clothing alterations & Ironing.
This doesn't make a lot of money, again I only do this for work colleagues, again I have stopped offering this service as the current head doesn't allow it.
Selling on Amazon & Ebay.
I sell a few books on Amazon, but make only pennies, most books sell for under 10p, I shall sell off all the Minders books as he gradually increases his Kindle collection.
I don't have much 'stuff' so rarely use Ebay, on the few occasions I have sold things I've had so many problems & so much hassle, I don't find it worth it. For example someone refused to pay for an item as it had arrived broken, this seemed unlikely as the item was wooden. I offered a full refund but only if they returned the item or emailed me a photo of the damage, they refused, I used the Ebay complaints system & I did get paid eventually, but it took months of emails. Another item was supposed to have not arrived, despite being signed for! Again it took so long to get paid & both customers left bad feedback which put off other customers.
Taking in lodgers.
All my lodgers have worked at school with me, we have a fairly sparse bus service & we are a 45 minute walk from the station so not ideally situated for most lodgers. This has also dried up lately as we are overstaffed & so not taking on as many long term supply teachers. Anyone who has followed my blog for a while will remember all the antics that Katy got up to whist staying with me.
To be continued
