The holiday season is right around the corner. While it’s an exciting time of year, it can also put a strain on your budget. Between holiday parties, gift shopping, travel, and other expenses, your costs quickly add up. Looking to earn a little extra cash to cover the holidays? Here are 13 easy ways to make extra money for the holidays.
The holiday season is an expensive time of year. Between decorations, gifts, food, travel and more, costs really start to pile up. While you may have been saving up all year, a little extra cash never hurts. Extra money can help you cover holiday expenses without going into debt or draining your regular income.
Luckily there are plenty of ways to earn extra money for the holidays, from side gigs to cash back rewards. With a bit of effort, you can easily make several hundred or even thousands of extra dollars. Whether you want to pad your holiday shopping budget, pay for travel or have some leftover holiday cash, these ideas can help.
What Are the Best Ways to Make Extra Money for the Holidays?
There are tons of options when it comes to earning extra money. Here are some of the most popular and lucrative ways to make extra cash for the holidays:
Get Paid to Take Online Surveys
Online survey platforms like SurveyJunkie, Swagbucks and InboxDollars are an effortless way to earn extra money. You simply share your opinions to market research companies via online surveys and get paid. Most surveys pay between $0.50 to $5.00 each and can be completed in your spare time from any device. It’s an easy way to make an extra $100 or more per month.
Sign Up for Cash Back Apps and Sites
Cash back apps like Rakuten, Ibotta and Dosh give you money back for shopping online and in-stores. Simply link a debit or credit card, then earn cash back on qualifying purchases automatically. The average user earns around $150 back per year. But around the holidays when spending ramps up, you can easily earn extra.
Get a Seasonal Job
Retailers and shipping companies typically hire seasonal workers to meet holiday demand. Look for seasonal jobs at major retailers, UPS, FedEx and Amazon. Hourly pay often starts around $15/hour or more. Even working part-time a couple days a week can earn you a few hundred extra dollars for gifts, travel and more.
Sell Your Stuff
Everybody has extra stuff around the house they don’t need. Why not sell it to earn holiday cash? You can make money selling clothing, electronics, furniture, household items and more on sites like eBay, Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp. Take the time now to declutter and list items for sale to earn extra money.
Babysit, Pet Sit or House Sit
If you’re good with kids, pets and around the house, put your skills to use. Sites like Care.com connect you with families looking for babysitters, pet sitters and house sitters. The average pay for babysitting is around $15-$20 per hour. Pet sitting averages $15 per 30-minute visit. House sitting rates average $25-$35 per day.
How Much Could You Make with a Side Hustle?
Side hustles are an excellent way to earn hundreds or even thousands of extra dollars for the holidays. Here’s a look at estimated earnings for some popular holiday side gigs:
- Rideshare driving: $150-$500 per week
- Food and grocery delivery: $100-$300 per week
- Handyman services: $200-$1000 per week
- Virtual assistant: $200-$500 per week
- Pet sitting: $100-$500 per week
- Freelance writing: $5-$50 per hour worked
- Teaching music lessons: $30-$60 per hour
- Photography sessions: $50-$250 per session
Most side hustles allow you to set your own schedule and work as much or as little as you want. With flexibility and decent earning potential, they are a great way to pad your holiday budget.
Side Gig Ideas to Earn Extra Holiday Cash
Here are some of the most lucrative and flexible side hustles to consider for earning extra money before the holidays:
Delivery Driving
Services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, GrubHub and Instacart let you earn money by delivering food, groceries and other items to customers. You can easily make $15-$25 per hour, often with the ability to create your own schedule. Add a few hours per week and you could make an extra $100 or much more.
Driving for Uber, Lyft and other rideshare apps is an easy way to earn extra money in your spare time. You use your own vehicle to transport passengers, earning money for each ride. Drivers typically make $12-$20 per hour after expenses. Schedule rides around your availability and earn cash on the side.
Tutoring
If you’re good at subjects like math, science, computers and test prep, share your expertise. Sites like Wyzant, Varsity Tutors and Care.com connect tutors with students online or locally. Tutors charge $15-$50 per hour based on experience and subject matter. A few sessions per week can deliver hundreds in extra income.
Freelance Writing
Have a talent for writing? Sites like Fiverr, Upwork and Freelancer have freelance writing gigs available ranging from blog posts to eBooks. Most pay $15-$50 per hour or per project. Build your portfolio and secure some freelance gigs to earn holiday money.
Handyman Services
Everyone needs help around the house for things like painting, simple repairs, yardwork and cleaning. Offer up your skills to neighbors, family and friends or market them via Nextdoor, Thumbtack or TaskRabbit. Services often pay $30-$50 per hour. A few small jobs can make a hundred bucks or more.
Photography Sessions
Around the holidays, many families want updated family photos and are willing to pay photographers. Market mini photo sessions to capture family, kids, holiday and graduation photos. An hour session with 30 edited photos can earn you $100-$250.
Virtual Assistant
Many businesses need help with administrative tasks, email management, data entry and more. Offer your administrative or tech skills to clients virtually as a freelance VA. Pay averages $15-$50 per hour based on experience and skills. Just a few hours per week can deliver $100+ in extra income.
Driving for Amazon Flex
Amazon Flex allows you to earn $18-$25 per hour delivering Amazon packages in your spare time. You use your own vehicle to complete deliveries when and where you want. Just a few blocks can help you earn extra spending money.
Cooking or Baking
Offer your skills in the kitchen to make extra dough. Bake and sell homemade pies, cookies, cakes and other treats locally or online via Facebook Marketplace. Or prepare take-home meals and market them to busy families in your community. Pricing varies but this can easily deliver $100+ extra.
Pet Sitting
If you love animals, pet sit! Sites like Rover and Care.com connect sitters with pet owners needing someone to watch their animals when traveling. Pet sitters earn $20-$40 per night. Board 2-3 pets while their owners are traveling for the holidays and earn several hundred bucks.
Tips for Maximizing Your Holiday Money
Follow these tips to earn as much extra money as possible for the holidays:
- Start early – begin working side gigs and selling items now before the holiday rush sets in.
- Take advantage of seasonal opportunities like retail, delivery and photography.
- Schedule shifts during peak days and times for rideshare and delivery.
- Market in-demand services like holiday cleaning, pet sitting and tutoring.
- Use cash back apps and credit cards on all holiday spending.
- Lower monthly expenses now through the holidays to dedicate more to earning.
- Track earnings goals and hours to stay motivated.
- Combine multiple options like surveys, cash back and seasonal work.
Conclusion:Make Extra Cash for the Holidays
Adding a side gig or two and taking advantage of seasonal money making opportunities can easily net you an extra $500, $1,000 or more for the holidays. The extra money will help you cover added costs during this expensive time of year without going into debt. And any leftover cash makes a nice bonus in your pocket to start the new year off right.
What are you waiting for? Scan the options and get started earning extra money for the holidays today! The sooner you begin, the more you can make. Have a happy and prosperous holiday season!
