Are there actually ANY opportunities to help make ends meet where the council don't shaft you? 
None that I have found that don't involve at least a chance of a long conversation with your friendly neighbourhood cops.
Seriously I am a long term believer in "multiple income streams". A little bit of this and a little bit of that if you see what I mean. Cash in hand and no questions asked.
Flogging stuff on ebay works well but that is really only an on-line car boot sale. If you have anything worth flogging the place is often the Sunday Boot Sales and there are loads of those in our area. Start small and build up a trade. The missus used to do a lot of Craft Fairs ... some earned her plenty others she couldn't even cover her costs. You only find the good ones by trying each one and cutting out the dross from experience. If you can get an allotment and greenhouse you can make cash selling plants, seedlings and surplus produce .... keeping a few hens and flogging the eggs is another nice little earner. Nowt big but it could keep you in beer, baccy and cake without attracting the interest of HM Revenue and Customs.
I earn a few quid on the side from writing and from the odd bit of buying and selling. Nothing dodgy and as I class it as a hobby rather than working the tax man doesn't come looking for his share.
I did have a book on the subject that I lent Wenchy a couple or three years ago ~ haven't seen it since so I expect she flogged it.
