This is a sponsored guest post.
The holidays are upon us, which means it’s time to start finding ways to ensure your children receive what they want under the tree. However, since most of today’s Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, finding extra cash during this time of year can be difficult. But it doesn’t have to be. There are actual ways to earn some extra cash you can set aside for holiday presents, and it doesn’t necessarily involve taking on a second part-time job. Explore these extra ways to earn money for holiday shopping below.
Purge unwanted items.
Take some time to go through your home—basements, attics, and garages—and find the items you no longer want. Instead of donating them, try selling them, whether by having a physical garage sale or using online sales websites. Even if something seems like garbage, it may be worth something to someone else. Consider selling a totaled car, old plates, or even non-working appliances, as someone may be willing to pay good money for those items. Be sure to list these items on multiple sales sites if that’s the way you choose to go. Whatever cash you make can be put aside and used for presents.
Charge for a hobby.
Do you have a hobby that you’re really good at, such as crocheting, graphic design, or even just drawing? If so, why not start charging people for this hobby? Let the world know you have this hobby and that you’re starting to do it to make money. Using your social media channels are a great way to put this information out there. Plus, you can look for local craft websites or social media accounts to join to help spread the word. The more people know you have this talent, the better chance you’ll have at getting a sale (or two).
Offer specific services.
Think about the things people don’t like doing, and then offer to do them for friends and neighbors for a fee. For instance, would you be willing to pick up dog poop throughout the winter? What about shoveling driveways after it snows? What about just dog walking a neighbor’s dog while they’re at work? There are plenty of things out there you can do to offer a service to those around you, and you can put this money aside to purchase presents for those you love.
Drive for companies.
Uber and Lyft are always looking for drivers, and the nice thing is you can work on your own schedule. This is a great way to make some extra cash without feeling like you have to put in a ton of extra hours. Do it while it’s convenient for you and watch the extra cash roll in.
In addition to Uber and Lyft, there are other companies out there willing to pay you to do certain tasks while driving. For instance, Instacart pays you to go grocery shopping for someone else and deliver those groceries to their home. DoorDash pays you to pick up someone’s food order and deliver it to their home. All these options pay you for the task and allow you to work on your schedule.
Cash in gift cards.
Do you have a variety of gifts cards lying around? If you can’t use those cards on Christmas presents for family and friends, then consider cashing them in for gift cards you could actually use. Selling gift cards online can be done through a variety of websites, or you can just reach out to those you know on social media and ask if anyone is willing to either buy it for cash or trade it for a gift card you will use. There are plenty of people out there in your same situation, so don’t hesitate to try and find a way to repurpose those gift cards for a way that makes sense for you.
Get that part-time job.
If all else fails, you can always get a part-time job for the holidays. Most retail companies are in dire need of the extra hands during the holidays, and you can usually let them know what your specific schedule will be. This means you can work part-time one day a week if you want and put that extra cash aside for your holiday shopping.
If you want to buy all the right presents for everyone on your list, having the cash to do so is important. The best way to do that is to use these tips to generate the extra income you need.
