I'm the urban spaceman baby - a song from the archive

Anyone old enough to remember the band? The Bonzo dog doo dah band (go and google it), were an eclectic mix of busker, music hall and performance artiste's who made a firm impression on my musical tastes as a youth. The song Urban spaceman was ended with a curious long piece of tube, played like a trumpet whilst being swung around the head of the player. The point being, it doesn't matter what instrument you play, if you can play music, use it!!!

Along with Don Partridge, Bonzo Dog were probably the biggest single factor in my wanting to play an instrument. But sadly I cannot actually talk about this topic from experience. You see I cannot play any instruments, never could, probably never will, but if I could........

Busking is the term used for effectively "begging" with music. You find a busy spot with lots of passing (pedestrian) traffic and you perform! One thing to note, it is illegal, so a good pair of ruining shoes is a must with your tuxedo. You see buskers everywhere in major towns and cities when the sun is shining. They will be cause of the music you hear as you go down the escalators on the underground. You will find some often well presented person strumming some unfortunate rendition from the Beatles White album or Oasis. One time I saw a three piece string band playing Mozart, another a trombonist. The thing is they all had one thing in common, the good ones make money!!! You don't have to be perfect at playing the instrument, but if you are it does help.

This week BBC Radio one have been advising on money and one of the BBC radio DJ's was asked to go busking. You can see his efforts here. Alright he was rubbish at it, singing along to a karaoke machine, yet he still made £4 ;-)

So how do you start, well I suppose a good point is you need to be able to perform, either on an instrument or with your voice, or some form of act. Next you need a licence (or as stated above to be very swift on your feet.) There are a range of places you can get licences from here is a useful site to find out where you can obtain licences in the UK If you are not licenced, adopt the not bothering anybody approach. If you are entertaining you will draw a crowd, so don't set up your pitch somewhere that will cause a major obstruction. Plan your act, unless you have huge confidence, practice it in the bathroom. You are trying to impress not insult your audience.

If you are based in London, there is always the prospect of fame and fortune, indeed a number of people have reached the stars from minor beginnings, singing or playing Covent Garden (the old market not the opera house) seems a admirable starting point for any career. You can see jugglers, magicians, comedians playing the plaza and hear some excellent musicians and singers around the restaurant areas. This is the exception to the rule, as it is one of only a few places where busking isn't illegal. The market association pay a hefty licence fee for this, so you have to pass an audition to be approved, not it would seem that that is difficult judging by some of the acts I have seen there!

So why can't I play a musical instrument? It is not for want of trying I can tell you. I did take piano lessons in my late teens, Cheryl, who I worked with part time in my first job, was a professional musician, working to keep her head above water. She took on the task of teaching me the piano, which in itself wasn't unusual, but you see I didn't own a piano. So to practice I had a wooden (well cardboard actually) piano. In theory this sounds great, well actually that was the problem. No sounds. In those days to buy a keyboard was out of the question, they just didn't exist. I could have picked up a moog synthesiser for a few thousand pounds, (google it again ;0-) but I didn't.

In the end I had to give Cheryl the elbow, not because she wasn't a good teacher, quite the contrary, I was the worst student ever!! I still wonder where I would be now musically if I had persisted....imagine, Ant and Dec, Simon Cowell and me ;-)

Bar bar blacksheep do you want fries with that....mcdonalds mcdonalds kentucky fried chicken and a pizza hut

Whether you have finished worrying about the credit crunch or are still in the early stages of shock, one things that is going to be obvious is that a bit more cash will always be welcome.

I don't know about you, but in my area one thing is still popular, that is the local pub. Most pubs now also offer food, so my next tip focuses on the popular evening jobs of bar work and waitressing. These are not easy options, a busy pub will keep you run of your feet. Finding work here it is down to pure graft, but it is an area where you can find work "fairly" easily just by putting your face about. There is nothing to beat a pub crawl and that's exactly what I recommend. Visit the pubs in your area, ask them if they need any occasional help to start with, Make your self available at short notice to cover sickness, be flexible about your hours and you will get work.

Try and negotiate your pay before you actually have to work. It's easier to do this than argue after. Be firm! At the end of the day you are helping them out ;-)

If you want to try and make this a more long term approach, try some of the agencies. My daughter was quite successful in the summer with Blue Arrow mainly weddings in the summer and parties at Christmas, but also short term cover at chain restaurants. The pay is not brilliant and the hours can be long, but remember when your working you aren't spending money. Plus long hours means more pay.

Lastly, check out the many and varied local restaurants. I know it's passe but actually the much maligned Mc Donald's chains offer an opportunity not to be ignored. They tend to be open long hours, so lots of opportunity for part time hours. Like many of the high street brands they have gravitated to the suburbs in shopping malls and entertainment. In reality any restaurant chain offers an opportunity, but you have to ask. I heard a story recently of a friends daughter who knocked on the door of her local pizza express asking for a work, when asked when she could star, she responded "Now?" She got the job and is now the meeter and greater ;-) If you don't ask you won't get!!!!

And finally, what was I on when I wrote that heading? Well when my kids were younger we had a VW seven seater van, now remember this was in the days before it was fashionable to have people carriers. Even in those days my god daughter was a performance artist and spent the whole journey singing that song. Now she is an aspiring actress (she has just won the prestigious Sam Wannamaker Competition and will be appearing at the Globe). I am very proud of her!

Real estate agents don't eat cheese

Well I know strictly they do, but I needed an attention grabbing headline and I don't think "Walking the dog" does it for me, but that is today's subject. Exercise, not only does it keep you healthy it helps your mental state and what better exercise than walk a dog, over the hills and dales.....What do you mean you don't have a dog, surely not, well here's an idea, lots of your neighbours have dogs, why not offer to walk them?

We have a friend, retired, who does this for free, but many people would be willing to pay for it. Put a card up in your local shops, or join an agency like guardian angels or the mutley crew. Don't forget gumtree (see pet walkers and sitters.)

Which brings me onto another little earner, baby sitting. Lets be frank this is not tedious, as long as they stay asleep, but once they wake up it can become quite unnerving, so not something I recommend if you are faint of heart. However, not everyone has the same ideas of babies. My little baby is a Burman cat! I am lucky enough to have a neighbour with cats, we exchange the job of "baby" sitting each other's moggies when we go away, which happily never seems to coincide. The point is, I don't want to put her into a cattery and will happily pay someone to look after her and the house. Once again put a card in your local shop or try an advert in your local free paper. Worth a shot!

So what about estate agents? Well as we all know they are starting to feel the pinch. So I wondered what other professions they could take up? I am a great fan of Wallace and Grommit, so cheese always comes to mind. I thought, how about going into cheese making too as a business, everyone eats cheese don't they. Instead of micro breweries (which are springing up every where) we could encourage cheeseries (did I make that word up?) So here's a link to an excellent cheese recipe site. Fill your boots.

I blame my ancestry, the big screen is in my family tree

Well coming from a film making background, my father was a producer and editor, my brother still is, I had to put this high up my list. Like life modelling be prepared to spend a lot of time doing nothing, but the pay can be good, especially if you pick up a line or two. The BBC pays around £75 per day, but they are made of money. The recommended fee is £69 pounds per day with an extra £25 for a walk on part.

You do not have to live near a big studio, but if you do it helps, especially if they are remaking Ben Hur. To get started you will need a break, but normally if you get your foot in the door you will get more work. So how do you start?

There are loads of agencies on the web, but only one of you. Make an impression by sending them an unusual posed photo, the boring old head shot (slightly to the side and not quite smiling) is what everyone does, so be different.

If you are in America have a look at about.coms list of movies in production.
In the UK British films in progress is a useful site.

Keep an eye on your local papers, for announcements of filming in your area
Register with Stars in my eyes. com for their weekly email

or here's some suggestions for agencies courtesy of a forum on Money saving expert.com
http://www.rayknight.co.uk/
http://www.castingcollective.co.uk/
http://www.leescasting.co.uk/
http://www.2020casting.co.uk/

Don't be surprised if they ask you for money, although the more reputable ones will only take money when you earn it ;-)


As for me, my biggest part (soldier strangled by lady pirate) was done for love not money. We filmed in Cardiff docks (before it was made fashionable by Doctor Who this was). It was worth it to spend time watching a then unknown actress Thandie Newton although the film The Pirate Prince (made for TV) never got her the expected Oscar.

Art paintings, furniture and photography

Art for art sake: OK so we can't all be Picasso, but if you have a nack for art, it can become a money spinner.

There is a market for art, big art, little art. A friend of mine started painting when he got a paint by numbers set as a gift. Bit of joke really, but he enjoyed it so much he went out and bought paint, canvas and became a part time artist. He even has his own site go and have a browse. He sells his art around the world. I own this one it just caught my eye.

Some of my best friends are budding artists, there's a lot of it out there. An alternative to painting is to get your self painted. Most local painting groups will pay you to model, although I am not sure I could sit still for four hours. Have a look at some of these sites if you want to look into this more seriously.
The register of artists models: Just what is says on the tin, a UK based model agency, current rates are £8 to £10 per hour. (But you have to get your kit off ;-) You don't have to be fit, any shape or size is acceptable, the more curves the merrier ;-)
Have a google for other areas of the world.

Photography: I have a (reasonably) good camera, but some of my best photos have been by accident. Is there a photo you are really proud of? Try and sell it! My favourite site is Photo Dimension aimed at a broader market than just the professional photographer, it allows anyone to become a seller. Go and have a browse.

Got any old furniture lying around, stick it in your local auction rooms. We got £40 for a table that we were given when we first got married. (Remember Freecycle? Got a van? My local Freecycle has furniture on a regular basis, why not pick some up and sell it on. Oh god I said it out loud again, I'll be banished from Freecycling for ever.....)

(Disclaimer: I have only thought it would be a good idea, I have never actually picked up something on Freecycle and sold it. Cross my heart. But it would be a good plan don't you think? Doh.....!)

To paraphrase a Yorkshire man Ebay gum

Sorry, couldn't resist it.

OK lets start with an honest opinion. I don't like EBay. I never have, but it is a means to an end. It is a ready (huge) audience of people willing to buy your stuff, assuming you have the stuff they want. I mention it because it is another car boot sale, but not as instantaneous.

I use EBay when:

1) I have something small to sell
2) I have something I think is collectible and have a good idea of its value.
3) I have time to sell it
4) It's raining and I can't be bothered to go car booting ;-)

The plus side: You will (occasionally) get a lot of money for some things

The down side: You have to pack and send off things. You have to pay EBay and Paypal their slice. People will try and scam you for as little as they can.

There are numerous sites that can tell you about EBay and how to make it work for you, so I will only share my experiences.

• EBay can be frustrating, when you list an item you have a huge selection of categories to list it under. So before starting do some research to ensure that you list in the right place.


• I have sold mostly unwanted CD'S and DVD's on EBay, although I also successfully sold some unwanted OS maps and books. These are all easy to handle and post.


• I buy padded bags in bulk, they work out at a few pence each. I can afford to list unwanted Cd's at 1p, this means I don't pay insertion fees.


• I take the default postage and packing fee of £1.50, which means whatever I am bid I will make a £1 profit. Once again, if I sell for 1p good luck to the buyer. He is taking something I don't really want!

I think it is time to mention Freecycle. Now I know that technically this is against the spirit of the blog, but I love Freecycle as a way of getting rid of stuff. Here's how it works, you have something you don't want to take to the dump (either because you think it still has some life in it or you just can't be arsed) you put it on free cycle and someone comes and picks it up and gives it a new lease of life. Recently I got rid of a filing cabinet, a bookcase, some unwanted flooring, a huge fluffy cushion and some other bits and pieces in a few hours, made the garage a lot less cluttered.

Now here's the shocking idea, how about getting stuff from free cycle to sell on EBay. There it's out! I can't believe I just said that......

Car boot sales

Ah, this is a particular favourite of mine. I have never been a collector of things. I like my gadgets, like the next man, but don't need to have clutter around me to be happy. Well apart from my Cd's I suppose, oh and the books, oh and I suppose the computer stuff, but apart from those..........

I love car boot sales. The whole ethos is attractive, I have a load of stuff that I want to get rid of, but is to good to just throw away. I take this stuff along in my car sit with it in a car park somewhere and people come and give me money for it. Whilst I am waiting for them to give me money, I can read my book, listen to my Ipod or chat to other stall holders. It's a win win situation!

But what to sell? There are two golden rules:
1) never worry if you don't get what you think something is worth (you are selling it to get rid of it remember, if you think it is worth a lot sell it some other way (see EBay later.)
2) you don't want to take it home with you, if people offer to buy it take the money

People will barter, don't be afraid to barter too, "10p for that, it wasn't worth my while getting up early for 10p, give me £2.00! 50p?? My grandmother would turn in her grave, it was her prized possession, I couldn't part with it for less than £1.50! Oh alright then a quid!"

One thing I find cathartic is to get rid of the clutter that builds up over time. Start in your loft, if you have one. Why do we all keep stuff in the loft? Well for storage obviously, but what are we storing it for. Clear it out. Look at each item decide if you will ever use it again, if so what is it doing in the loft! Bring stuff down to the bedroom, or in my case the garage, you will have far less tendency to put it back up there again!

Then the rest of the house, you can sell anything at a car boot. Dust of those chintzy ornaments that your mum gave you for Christmas, you'll get a few quid for them.

Pricing things can be tricky. I never put prices on the goods, but I do have an idea in my mind what I would like for them, remember though this is about you getting rid of them and the buyer getting a bargain.

Plus sides to car boots are many, I have done well on some occasions and badly on others, but it has always worked out worthwhile. On average I have made about £15 to £20 per hour overall.
Down sides: You can get wet. When you turn up, the professionals descend like scavengers, these are the people who understand the value of junk, but don't let that stop you selling to them.

What to sell: Books, Albums, CDs, DVDs, ornaments, old garden tools, pictures, anything really, it's money for old rope (quite literally!).

Where to sell: Scan your local paper, schools, community centre notice boards, Carboot Junction or good old Gumtree or just use a search engine.

More hints and tips: Here is an excellent list of do's and dont's

Get a job

So I don't want to teach you to suck eggs, but getting a job is not just a question of sending in your CV. You have to differentiate yourself from the other candidates. How do you do that? Well here are a few simple suggestions:

- Don't send the same CV twice. Each one should be crafted for the job you are seeking.

- Make your CV stand out, no I don't mean garish colours, I mean focus your CV to the job for which you are applying and highlight the skills they are requesting.

- Keep your summary snappy, not too much detail, when I sift CV's I glance down them so make your skills obvious (Ability to leap tall buildings, x-ray vision, wears underpants outside trousers.)

-If you are submitting to a general site, such as jobs.co.uk or total jobs make sure you highlight your talents in as many different ways as you can. If you use an acronym put the full meaning too or vice versa, this will help when people are searching to ensure you will get a hit.

Here are some useful sites I have come across in my time.
The Ops ladder: Plus points: Good site for jobs in excess of 50K, CV critique, Minus points: Chargeable to do anything other than the simple stuff, but sign up for their regular email to get free tips and hints.
Gum Tree: Not just a jobs site but also a classified ads site (see later). Allows you to focus on your local area. Affiliated sites around the world.
Total jobs: Major site used by larger corporates. Plus points: CV Checker - allows you to check how good your CV is by answering a few sensible questions. Search for jobs by key words and location. Salary checker - find out what your worth. Graduate Zone - just what it says on the tin.
Monster: Another major site. Plus points: CV Checker, New letter, Major Corporate clients, You can set up a "profile".

Linked in: Although not technically a job site, this is the job equivalent of Facebook, Bebo and other social networking sites. It allows you to make contact with old and current colleagues and build a network of people through them. Use it as a show case for your talents, experience etc. Plus points: People can recommend you for work you have done, you can link in to people through other people you know. Minus points: There is a charge for the more ethereal stuff, but you can build a fairly good network just through the free stuff (here's my linked in profile.)

There's no such thing as an easy buck

Everyone wants to be rich! Well mostly everyone. The problem is how?

The good old days of working your socks off to make a living is not enough for the modern day generation, who want everything now. If you are one of those people stop reading and go and google for get rich quick schemes. This is about real ways to earn an extra dollar/buck/yen or pound.

Am I rich? Nope, so don't think it will be easy. But I hope to give you a few hints that might point you in the right direction. These are methods that are available to everyone, need no skill or training and can earn you some extra cash. Remember the golden rule "whilst your earning your not spending!"

So without further ado, here's my top tips for making extra cash.

1) Get a job: OK that was a bit obvious wasn't it, but at the end of the day this is the fundamental way to earn money, I will suggest some specific jobs as we go.
1) Ok so technically this is tip 1:Car boot sales: Everyone has something they don't need or want lying around there house. Turn some of that into cash.
2) Ebay: Like car boots sales but on a grander scale. Turn your unwanted items into cash, or even set up a trading centre to buy and sell things.
3) Art, Paintings and Photography: Sell your art work on line.
4) Become an extra on a film/tv series. Not as hard as it sounds, but probably only available if you live near a major city (or have friends in the film industry.)
5) Dog walking: Another healthy option, put up a card in your local shops or do a drop.
6) Baby sitting: Better for the younger generation perhaps, but still a way to supplement your cash. Better if you have experience of caring for younger children.
7) Bar work: Only for the over 18's. Check around your local pubs and clubs. Start by covering sickness or short term absence. If you can help them out of a spot they will be beholden to you.
8) Waiting at table: Experience is not always necessary, but is handy. Try and get know at your local restaurants and offer your services, as with bar work, at short notice.
9) Busking: No really! If you have a musical ability use it! Even the worst singer will get sympathy. One slight issue is the legality but hey you can make some money doing what you enjoy.
10) Car washing: Once a domain for the boy scouts, now everyone can have a go, modern day cleaning products make it possible to wash even the dirtiest car with just a small bucket of water.
11)Set up your own business: it doesn't have to be huge, look at Richard Branson, he started from a market stall selling records.
12) Arts and Crafts: Good with your hands, make things to sell, Christmas, birthdays, visits to friends, give something you have made and it is so much more personal (and cheaper). Sell the excess!
13) Internet cash back sites: This one is a bit more tedious but join one of the Internet cash back sites and you can earn quite signifcant cash back.
14) Get a credit card: Alright on the face of it not such a good idea but there are a number of ways to make money while you spend it ;-)
15) Loyalty cards: Get them all fill your boots, they are giving you stuff for spending money with them, it's almost your right.
16) Paper round: OK traditionally a thing for youngsters, but still available to us all. Not only good for your wallet but for your health as well.

So over the course of the life of this blog, I will improve and update this list, from both personal experience and recommendation. Hey I might even aim for a top 20 ;-)

Lets start with the easy ones, these are things I have personally done and can share my limited knowledge.