Want to know how to make an extra $1,000 for the holidays? Whether you need a permanent gig or just some side cash, there are plenty of ways to boost your income during this expensive season. Between Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and other celebrations, costs can pile up quickly.
On average, people spend about $1,000 on gifts alone. Add in travel, food, and other expenses, and it’s easy to see why the holidays can be financially stressful. Learning how to earn some extra money can help you avoid dipping into savings or going into debt.
Here are some practical ways to make $1,000 for the holidays:
1. **Get Paid for Your Opinion**
Taking online surveys is an easy way to earn extra cash, though it might not get you to $1,000 on its own. Sign up for multiple survey sites like American Consumer Opinion, Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, and others to maximize your earnings.
2. **Watch Someone’s Home**
People travel more during the holidays and need housesitters. You could get paid $25-$50 a day for tasks like taking in mail, watering plants, or watching pets.
3. **Walk Dogs or Pet Sit**
If you love pets, consider dog walking or pet sitting. Platforms like Rover can help you find gigs, especially during the busy holiday season.
4. **Sell Items You Already Own**
Declutter your home and sell items like clothing, electronics, or books. Use thrift stores, eBay, Craigslist, garage sales, or Facebook groups to sell your stuff quickly.
5. **Work One-Time Gigs on Craigslist**
If you don’t want a long-term commitment, look for one-time gigs on Craigslist. Jobs like yard work, house cleaning, or passing out flyers can provide quick cash.
6. **Sell Items on Etsy**
If you’re crafty, sell handmade or vintage items on Etsy. It’s a great platform for unique holiday gifts.
7. **Get a Roommate**
Renting out a room for a month or two can quickly add up to $1,000. Advertise online or locally, and be honest in your listing.
8. **Sell Items on Amazon**
Start an Amazon business to sell products from home. With some effort, you could make significant profits.
9. **Get Rewarded for Being Online with Swagbucks**
Earn gift cards and cash for activities like shopping, searching the web, and taking surveys.
10. **Babysit**
Parents need babysitters more often during the holidays. Use sites like Care.com to find babysitting gigs.
11. **Become a Mystery Shopper**
Get paid to shop or eat at restaurants. Sign up with legitimate companies like Bestmark to start.
12. **Get Cashback When You Shop Online**
Use cashback websites like Rakuten to earn money back on your holiday shopping.
13. **Rent Out Your RV**
If you have an RV, rent it out through platforms like RVshare to make extra cash.
14. **Find a Retail Job**
Many companies hire seasonal workers for the holidays. Check out opportunities with UPS, the US Postal Service, Kohl’s, and others.
15. **Deliver Food**
Services like DoorDash, Instacart, and UberEats often need more drivers during the holidays.
16. **Trim Your Bills**
Cut unnecessary expenses to free up money. Switch to a cheaper cell phone plan, cancel some streaming services, eat at home more, or use the library for free entertainment.
17. **Get Paid to Help People Around Their House**
Offer services like cleaning, snow shoveling, or hanging lights. Advertise on Facebook, NextDoor, or local bulletin boards.
By exploring these options, you can ease the financial burden of the holidays and maybe even have some fun along the way. How would an extra $1,000 help you this holiday season?