I know what you’re thinking – it’s August! But now is actually a great time to start preparing for the holidays instead of waiting until November or December.
The fall and winter holidays can get really expensive. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other celebrations, the average person spends around $1,000 just on gifts. And that doesn’t even include other expenses like travel, food, parties, and decorations.
Many of you have been asking about ways to make extra money during the holidays. Whether it’s to boost your monthly income, save more, cover holiday costs, or just have extra cash, there are plenty of options.
So, here are some ways to make extra money for Christmas and other holidays:
1. **Work in Retail**: Every year, hundreds of thousands of holiday jobs open up. Seasonal jobs might include working at places like haunted houses, pumpkin patches, Christmas tree lots, Macy’s, UPS, and more. These jobs are great for filling up your time, networking, making friends, and getting discounts. Apply as soon as you can since these positions get filled quickly.
2. **House Sit or Pet Sit**: Many people need help with their pets or homes when they travel during the holidays. You can advertise your services on various websites. If you love animals, this can be a fun way to make extra money. You might make around $25+ per day for dog boarding, for example.
3. **Sell Stuff from Around Your Home**: One of the easiest ways to make extra money is by selling items you no longer need. This could be clothes, electronics, appliances, books, furniture, or gift cards. You can sell these items through thrift stores, eBay, Craigslist, garage sales, or Facebook groups.
4. **Find One-Time Gigs**: There are many random one-time jobs you can find locally, and Craigslist is a good place to search. These jobs often pay right after you complete the work. Examples include snow plowing, yard cleanup, house cleaning, and passing out flyers.
5. **Become an Uber or Lyft Driver**: Driving for Uber or Lyft can be a flexible way to make extra money. The holiday season usually means more people need rides to and from the airport or holiday gatherings, so there are more opportunities.
6. **Rent Out a Room**: Renting out a room in your home can bring in extra income. Websites like Airbnb make it easy to rent out a spare room on a short-term basis. Be honest in your listing and include pictures to attract renters.
7. **Answer Surveys Online**: While this won’t make you rich overnight, you can earn some money by answering online surveys. Companies like American Consumer Opinion, Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and others offer paid surveys.
8. **Babysit or Nanny**: Parents are always looking for reliable babysitters, especially around the holidays. Websites like Care.com and SitterCity.com can help you find babysitting gigs. If you have special skills like tutoring or speaking another language, you can charge more.
9. **Become a Mystery Shopper**: Mystery shopping can be a fun way to make money while getting paid to eat at restaurants or shop. You won’t get rich, but it’s a nice side income. Companies like Bestmark offer legitimate mystery shopping opportunities.
10. **Teach English Online**: Companies like VIPKID allow you to teach English online to children. You can work from home, set your own schedule, and earn $18-21 per hour. Requirements include having an undergraduate degree and some teaching experience.
11. **Rent Out Your RV**: If you own an RV, you can rent it out when you’re not using it. Websites like RVshare make it easy to rent out your RV, helping you earn extra money for the holidays.
Are you thinking about holiday spending yet? What are you doing to make extra money for Christmas and other holidays?