Unless you’re someone who shops for Christmas gifts year-round, you’re running out of time to find the perfect presents for your friends and family. And with Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner, you may be wondering whether your bank account is ready to fund those festive free-for-alls. While some folks may have stashed away a little nest egg in a Christmas Club or designated savings account, others find themselves strapped for cash when crunch time rolls around. It might be prudent to complete an aspiration online bank review. If you’re in the latter contingent, here are few quick ways to make some extra money to be sure those stockings are stuffed and there are plenty of presents under the tree.
via Ideal Home
Temporary side hustles
Budget guru Dave Ramsey says that for a family making $50,000 a year, a total holiday gift budget of $800 is reasonable. If you need to raise this much or more, consider taking on a side gig or temporary part-time job this Christmas season. Offering your services as rideshare driver could earn you up to $10 per hour, which adds up to about $867 a month if you can spare 20 driving hours on nights and weekends. Another way to utilize your vehicle (or bike or scooter) for extra money in your spare time is to work for a courier service delivering groceries, meals, or even alcohol for up to $25 an hour. And don’t forget about all of your local retail establishments who often advertise for extra help during the holidays; not only will you get a paycheck, but you’ll probably also enjoy a sweet employee discount.
via OneKindesign.com
Online loans
Need a little more money, or don’t have time to spare? Maybe you’re planning a big get-together complete with a buffet of hors d’oeuvres, Christmas party entertainment, and a champagne fountain, but right now you’re working with a boxed wine budget. A short-term small loan might be an option. Online payday loans are quick and easy, and usually don’t impact your credit score or show up as a debt on your credit report. Plus, payments are set up to coincide with your future paydays, so you can pay back the loan when it’s convenient for you.
via Onekindesign.com
Clean out your basement
Do you have any extra belongings cluttering your closets, attic, spare room, or basement? Make some extra holiday cash by selling them! That 1980s concert t-shirt you found in the back of your drawer maybe just the gift someone else has been searching for. Or Grandma’s old newspaper collection could net you enough money to buy her a nifty e-reader. Sure, you could hold an old-fashioned yard sale, but it’s much more convenient to use one of the plethora of online options, including auction sites and resale apps. And don’t forget about your local consignment shops for clothes, shoes, and handbags. Whether you want to get rid of old books, antique furniture, or video games, the quicker you get it out there for sale, the better your chances of padding your holiday budget.
via FreshHome
Give them your two cents
Did you know that lots of companies will pay you for your opinion? You can earn a little—and sometimes a lot of—money every time you answer an online or video survey brokered through one of the many online survey sites. For example, software development companies might be seeking real people to test a new app, or a tea manufacturer is seeking tea drinkers to share their preferences. Although you might not fit the perfect demographic for every survey, you can hedge your options by signing up for more than one survey site.
via Freshhome.com
Get some cash back
Sure, you want to save as much money as possible when you shop for the holidays, but perhaps you’re not cut out to be the coupon queen or king. Here’s a more passive way to save: shopping apps. There are tons of great options out there that will either shave cents off of your purchases, instantly refund savings from price matching, or give you credits or actual cash back when you shop at certain stores or buy particular products. So maybe these apps alone won’t fund your full holiday shopping budget, but depending upon how much you spend, what you buy, and where you shop, you just might earn yourself enough for a very happy New Year’s celebration.
*Compensation was received for this post
