Like it or not, the holidays are here. As much fun as seeing friends and family can be, it can also be stressful trying to budget for a gift for everyone on your list. Luckily, it’s easier than ever to earn a little extra money in your spare time.
Ready to be everyone’s favorite Secret Santa? Check out these 12 side gigs to see how you can earn some extra cash between now and the holiday season.
1. House or Pet Sit
With just a few clicks, you can set yourself up online as a local housesitter, pet sitter, or dog walker. Websites like Rover.com, Care.com, and TrustedHousesitters.com allow you to advertise your services to people in your area who are heading out of town for the holidays. Housesitters can charge anywhere from $25 to $100 per day, depending on their responsibilities. Pet sitters can charge between $20-30 for a 30-minute visit, and dogwalkers can expect to earn around $20 per dog per walk.
2. Take Surveys Online
Companies are always looking to find out more about consumer buying habits, as well as their likes, dislikes, and things they would like to see in the products they use. They value these opinions enough that many are willing to pay for them. While taking one or two surveys may not pay a lot, regularly replying to them can bank you more than you think. Check out SurveyJunkie.com and SwagBucks.com are great places to start.
3. Become a Delivery Driver for Ubereats or Doordash
It’s super simple to sign up as a delivery driver with these popular food delivery apps. Once you’re approved, it’s even easier to make money. You don’t have to answer to a supervisor and can drive as little or as much as you want. You’ll even get paid extra if you choose to deliver during peak times!
4. Use Browser Add-Ons to Save Money
While not a true side hustle, using popular browser add-ons such as Honey or Rakuten can help you save money on purchases you’re already making.
5. Rent Out Space in Your Home
Not everyone wants to host their smaller events at hotels or loud restaurants. If you have a nice backyard, an unused garage, or lovely indoor spaces, you may be able to rent them out to your neighbors for their events through websites like Peerspace or Splacer.
6. Apply for a Seasonal Job
Your favorite retailer is probably already looking for seasonal help. If you plan correctly, not only can you earn a little extra money but you can get an employee discount to help you afford some amazing holiday presents.
7. Sell Stuff Online
Got a lot of clothes you don’t wear anymore? Are you an excellent thrift shopper? Take those lightly worn clothes and sell them on sites like Poshmark and ThredUp for a little extra cash in your pocket. Are you crafty? Take those creations and sell them on Etsy or Facebook Marketplace.
8. Tutor Kids Online
School is back in session and parents everywhere are looking for extra help for their students. Check out Outschool to set up fun classes on your own or Varsity Tutors to offer straight tutoring services to users.
9. Try Out New Apps
Do you find yourself spending hours a day on your phone? Use that time to make money instead! KashKick is a website that pays you to play on apps and share your opinion. To date, they have paid out more than $2 million to users.
10. Help People Out With Tasks
TaskRabbit is a long-established website that allows you to offer to help with everything from Ikea furniture setup to standing in line. Register as a Tasker, fill out the tasks you can help out with, and get started helping people while earning extra income.
11. Become an Affiliate Marketer
An easy, passive way to earn a little extra money is to sign up as an affiliate marketer. Affiliate marketers earn a percentage of sales from shoppers they send to companies. All you have to do is register with a company that offers an affiliate program and start sharing your link with friends and family. Amazon even has an affiliate program! (Although it takes a while to get paid, so you may not have time for that this year!)
12. Give Freelancing a Try
Whether you are a writer, graphic designer, programmer, or financial guru, there’s someone out there who needs your help. Find them on UpWork or Fiverr and use your professional skills in your off hours to pad your bank account.
15 Legit Ways to Make Money in One Hour
Who wouldn’t like to find more ways to make some quick cash? Well, you’ve just hit the jackpot: here are fifteen tried and tested ways to build up some bank that takes sixty minutes or less.
15 Legit Ways to Make Money in One Hour
If You Spend Money on These 10 Things, Stop! They’re a Surprising Waste
Are you guilty of wasting money on frivolous expenses? For example, I wasted money daily on overpriced coffee when I worked outside the home. After tipping, those things can become a $10-a-day habit quickly. Recently a Redditor asked, “What is a huge waste of money?” Here are the top-voted responses.
If You Spend Money on These 10 Things, Stop! They’re a Surprising Waste
31 Vintage Items Worth Money: Do You Have Any of These?
Marie Kondo convinced many a packrat that parting with unnecessary material possessions can spark joy. You know what sparks even more joy? Learning some of those vintage items you’ve been hanging on to may be worth a decent amount of money.
There’s a hot market for antique and vintage items in good, working condition. Remember that Singer sewing machine Grandma held on to all those years, only to pass it on to you? It could sell for as much as $1000 today.
You may not have enough to pay for a trip to Hawaii, but then again, maybe you do!
31 Vintage Items Worth Money: Do You Have Any of These?
10 Places You Should Never Use Your Debit Card
Debit cards are a convenient way to pay for things without carrying a lot of cash around and without piling up credit card debt. However, debit cards can place you more at risk of identity theft and fraud. That’s because most debit cards don’t come with the same protections major credit cards do. If someone hacks your debit card, they can drain real money from your personal account, and that money might be gone for good.
Here are some places where it’s safer for you to use a credit card than a debit card.
9 Signs You’re Smarter Than Average and Three Signs You’re Not
Do you think you’re smarter than most of the population? Check out these signs to see if you make the cut or if you should go back to school.
9 Signs You’re Smarter Than Average and Three Signs You’re Not
Featured Image Credit: Ground Picture/Shutterstock
Karee Blunt is a nationally syndicated travel journalist, focused on discovering destinations and experiences that captivate and inspire others through her writing. She is also the founder of Our Woven Journey, a travel site focused on inspiring others to create memory-making adventures with their loved ones. Karee is passionate about encouraging others to step out of their comfort zone and live the life they dream of. She is the mother of six kids, including four through adoption, and lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest. You can learn more about Karee on her about me page.