Undeniably times are hard at the moment. You can’t look at a newspaper without seeing headlines complaining of global recession, credit crunch, rising unemployment, mortgage defaults etc.

Its getting harder and harder for some people to make ends meet or just to cope with the demands of that one-off water-bill, huge electricity payment etc.

So - where can you get that necessary cash injection just when you need it. The answer is gold. I don’t mean head off to the pawnbrokers and hawk your family heirlooms or those sentimental pieces of jewellery.

Gold has its own value regardless of its condition, its sentimental value or it’s age. It is a commodity in its own right, and its a commodity that in recent years has seen its price go through the roof.

Anything that is gold can be sold, from fillings through cufflinks to that hideous brooch your mother-in-law gave you that you’ve hidden in the bottom drawer never to be seen again.

You don’t have to traipse up and down the High Street carrying your gold trying to find a jeweller who will just offer the price they want. There are reputable gold buyers online who guarantee to pay you the market price at the time you send your gold in - that way you always get the best price for your gold.

All you need to do is fill in the online valuation request form and they’ll give you the top price for your unwanted gold based on the carat and the weight.

Even if you don’t know the weight, carat or if the gold does not have a hallmark they will test it for you and give you a price based on the assay.

Once you have your price you send in your gold via registered post, they assay the gold to check its weight and purity and get back to you by phone to confirm the price. At hat point you can choose to sell the gold at the confirmed price or have is sent back to you.

You don’t even have to leave your leaving room. There are a number of reputable gold dealers online - always look for the British Jewellers Association (BJA) logo on the website.

What are you waiting for? start looking through those drawers now for old broken chains and unwanted jewellery and get some cash you didn’t know you had.

Top Dog for Gold is the premier online gold dealing website where you can sell gold for cash. They are full members of the British Jewellers association and allow you to sell scrap gold with confidence that you will get the best service and the best price. Use their online gold valuation tool to see how much your gold is worth.