The holiday season is full of love, joy, and, unfortunately, expenses! Even with fun things like gifts and travel on your mind, you still have to pay for rent, utilities, and food. But you can beat the budget blues this winter with these seven ways to make extra cash for the holidays!
1. Sell goods or services online.
Are you crafty? Do you possess an in-demand skill? Lucky for you, it’s never been easier to sell things online. Artistically inclined people can sell their creations on websites like Etsy or Amazon Handmade. If you’ve got a skill – like editing resumes, illustrating, or web design – you can leverage those for cash on websites like Upwork or Fiverr. Don’t underestimate the importance of networking and spreading the word, too. Sharing your new business venture on social media or local apps like Craigslist or Nextdoor can also help you find new customers.
2. Share your skills and expertise with the world.
Yes, you can get paid to share your passion with others. The website Skillshare allows you to film and upload video classes, teaching anything from how to create Youtube videos to how to master the art of small talk. Consider your strongest skill or attribute and there’s probably an eager audience waiting to learn from you. Once you’ve got a class uploaded, you’ll make money whenever people watch. No more work required!
If you’d rather work face-to-face, consider tutoring or offering private lessons in your niche, like music or foreign language. Advertise your offerings online or go the old-fashioned route and hang up flyers in local hot spots.
3. Rent out a spare bedroom.
If you’ve got an unused room in your house, tidy it up and list it on Airbnb to make a bit of extra income. All potential guests are verified by the website, making it the safest route when it comes to sharing your space. The amount you can earn depends a lot on your home and location, but it’s a simple way to capitalize on a vacant room in your home and make a little holiday cash.
4. Pick up a flexible side job, like babysitting or pet sitting.
Wondering how to make extra money when you’ve got a demanding full-time job? It’s all about picking up a few sporadic gigs that can work around your schedule. If you’re good with children or pets, post a profile on Care.com to find childcare and pet sitting jobs. You can find repeat, regularly scheduled gigs, or the occasional weekend opportunity, depending on how much free time you have (and how steep your various bills and holiday expenses are!).
5. Work a remote, part-time job.
Many companies are swamped around the holidays and can use more hands on deck to get things done. The website Rat Race Rebellion is the ultimate job board for work-from-home listings, including full-time, part-time, and seasonal gigs. Seasonal opportunities in customer service are plentiful around this time of year. Plus, you can find virtual assisting, transcription, tutoring, writing, and data entry jobs, too!
6. Sell clothing, electronics, and books that you don’t need anymore.
If you’ve ever caught an episode of Antique Roadshow, you’re well aware that there can be hidden treasures tucked away in your hall closet at this very moment. You may not have a long-forgotten heirloom conveniently worth thousands, but you likely do have some belongings that could sell for good cash! Sell clothing you no longer wear to secondhand clothing stores or on websites like Poshmark or thredUP. Sell electronics, books, and other unused household items on places like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or Letgo. Or, if you have a lot to sell, you can always host a good old-fashioned garage sale.
7. Use your car to make money.
If you have a vehicle and don’t mind driving, there are a few different ways to make money by hitting the road. Drive for an app like Lyft or Uber to make money on your schedule. If you’d rather not drive passengers, apply to drive for a food delivery service like DoorDash or GrubHub. You can also work with companies like Neighbor and make a little extra money leasing out your unused storage or parking areas. With these options, you can make money at your convenience, working as much or as little as you want.
Still searching for ways to stretch your budget during the holidays? Start with more disposable income next year by finding an apartment with lower rent on ApartmentSearch. Plus, you’re eligible to win a $200 reward if you list ApartmentSearch.com on your new apartment application!
