Best way to raise a few thousand pounds?

For small sums I suggest you work through the following list, in rough order of ease to do:

1. Your existing savings
2. Sell your car/other assets
3. Draw down on the mortgage on your house
4. Borrow from family
5. Borrow from friends – they might need an equity share here
6. Look for grants/bursaries etc. Eg if you are unemployed or young there may be things available.
7. Approach a bank with your business proposal - you will need a good 50% of the funds in your pocket from the first 6 sources to get anywhere with this, and small sums wont interest them.
8. A unsecured personal loan. They dont always ask what it is for.
9. Credit cards with interest free periods. Obviosuly taking on a big personal risk with this one.
10. Start something else as a stage one project to raise funds.
11. Work a second job and save all your income

I hope that gives you some ideas.
------------------------
James Smith
Chartered Accountant
www.jamesesmith.co.uk
01235 536 773

---------------------------
Your indispensable guide to Small Business Bookkeeping, Self-Assessment & VAT