With the Christmas season a mere two months away, you’re probably beginning to search for the perfect gifts for your loved ones.
More than that, however, you may also be wondering how you’re going to pay for it all as well.
After all, depending on the length of your list and the price of the perfect gift, Christmas is not a cheap time of the year.
Not to mention the money you might have to spend on food, décor, and more.
Christmas should be a joyous time of year, not one that serves to stress you out about money.
Instead of draining your bank account to accommodate Christmas gifts, consider trying one of these eight ways to make extra money before Christmas.
1. Become a Personal Shopper
If you love to shop already and are good at picking out gifts, this could be a great way to earn extra cash. Advertise on sites like Craigslist, put up physical ads, and ask friends and family to get the word out for your services.
You can either charge by shopping trip or by the hour. There are plenty of busy people out there who either don’t have the time or just don’t like to shop, that would gladly take advantage of your services.
It could also be fun for you if you enjoy shopping, but don’t always have room in your own budget for it. Of course, if shopping isn’t your favorite thing, you may want to consider alternative options.
2. Try Being a Driver
Between Uber and Lyft, car driving services have become the go-to way to make extra cash. The nice part about becoming a driver is that you have the power to decide how much you want to work and when you want to work.
Furthermore, depending on the time of day, you may receive a bonus if the company you opt to work for has an abundance of requests, which increases the amount charged. If you love to drive and find meeting new people entertaining, then this is a great option for making extra cash.
3. Earn Cash Back For Your Shopping
If you have to shop already, why not make money while you do it? Sites like Ebates and Swagbucks give you the option of earning cash back for all your purchases. You receive a $5 bonus from each just for signing up for an account.
The key to this option is that the more you shop, the more points you earn that you can ultimately turn into cash. If you’re hoping for discounts as well, Ebates is a great cash back site to utilize.
4. Take Surveys
This may not be a way to get rich quickly, but it is an option if you’d like to make a little extra cash. Survey panels like Opinion Outpost, Harris Poll and PineCone Research are all great places to sign up for survey invites.
Upon signing up, you’ll receive survey invitations straight to your inbox and earn pay quickly for your time. Again, this may not earn you as much as you’re hoping for, but it can be a quick add on to another gig to earn even more, or to make a little extra money while watching your nightly TV shows.
Want to ramp up your savings for Christmas? Here are 8 ways to make more money! Click To Tweet5. Wrap Gifts
Hopefully you’re nothing like me, and wrapping presents isn’t a painful experience. In fact, maybe you’re actually good at it and find the process enjoyable. If that’s the case, wrapping presents for others can be a great way to make extra cash.
You can always get the word out to family and friends that you’d like to assist them in their gift wrapping, or you can help out at a local retailer during the holidays. There’s an array of stores that hire people just for that position alone.
6. Get a Part-Time Job
Most retailers put ads out for extra help during the holidays; between Black Friday and Christmas, the stores can get hectic and their normal staff usually can’t accommodate the added rush. Peruse online or your local newspaper for places that could use an extra pair of hands.
A part-time job will likely make you more money, quicker than some of the other options. Furthermore, if you work at a place with great gift options, you’ll likely receive a good discount and could do some holiday shopping there, too.
7. Sell Items You Don’t Need
I don’t know about you, but most people I know have an abundance of clutter lying around. Items you may have purchased upon the belief that you needed them, only to find out you barely use them. Whether you have extra gadgets, clothes, décor or furniture, there are lots of ways to sell them and usually someone who is more than willing to make a purchase.
If it gets too cold to hold a yard or garage sale, selling items digitally is always an option. Use sites like Craigslist and Ebay to list things you’d like to get rid of. Another great option is to take items to consignment stores, however, by doing this you won’t get to list the price. Whatever route you choose, you’re bound to make great extra money and get rid of clutter before you get a bunch of new things for Christmas.
8. Use Your Skills and Creativity
Whether you have a knack for taking photos, sewing, crocheting or baking, using your talents is an easy and fun way to earn extra income. Offer to do family photos for your neighbors, sell crafty items at fairs, or open up your own shop on Etsy.
People are always looking for fun and interesting gifts and you’ll be able to make a surplus in no time.
If you get creative enough, you can find a variety of ways to make extra money for Christmas. The holidays don’t have to cause you to break the bank, no matter how many people you have to buy for or how many parties you attend.
Use the skills and abilities you have during the next few months to create a fund specifically for the holidays. I think if you do, you’ll find yourself enjoying the Christmas season even more so than usual.
Have you tried to make extra money before Christmas? What are some of the ways you’ve made extra cash?
