<prompt> Human: I am a marine mechanic working side jobs. I listed my services on the internet and did a few jobs for a man that contacted me from there. This last job I did for him, he stiffed me for 500 and its really fucking me up since rent and bills are all due around now. Where do I go from here? I do not have business insurance, as I am just doing side jobs for my self at the moment as I am still working on opening my own business.  <response>: Do you have a contract or written agreement mentioning payment and work requested? Even text or email? If so, then small claims court seems to be the most likely course of action for you. Otherwise you can simply walk away and write it off as a lesson learned and karma for any taxes and insurance youre not paying on these gigs. 