As the holiday season rapidly approaches, it’s common to start worrying about the potential financial pressure. Between gift purchases, holiday treks, and festive celebrations, budgeting can become challenging. Fear not, however, there are a multitude of ingenious ways to supplement your income for Christmas, allowing you to relish a pleasurable and relaxed holiday season.
Whether you’re exploring options for a temporary gig or merely want to thicken your wallet a bit, the following suggestions got you covered. Here are a few of my top, hassle-free strategies for augmenting your holiday funds.
1. SET UP A NEW CREDIT CARD OR BANK ACCOUNT
A simple method to acquire some additional funds is to open a new bank or credit card account. Numerous banks and credit card providers offer sign-up incentives for new clients, which might range from $50 to $500 or more. However, make it a point to understand the terms and conditions beforehand. Some accounts might necessitate a minimum deposit, specific transaction volume, or maintaining balances for several months to avail bonus offers.
To qualify for a lucrative credit card sign-on bonus, you must have a reasonably good credit score. Should you aim to earn a reward by opening a new bank account, be prepared to activate a direct deposit or deposit a significant sum which might need to stay there for a while. This could be a pragmatic choice if you have an emergency fund to utilize for the bank account bonus.
Although you might not receive the bonus amount before Christmas, you can always reimburse yourself once the bonus money arrives after the holiday season.
2. SELL UNWANTED ITEMS
An uncomplicated way to accumulate extra Christmas funds is to offload items you no longer need or use. Online platforms such as eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace are excellent avenues to shed off your surplus items. Simultaneously, it declutters your home and fills your pockets. Cross-posting on multiple platforms can reel in a wider audience. However, depending on the item category, specific platforms might work better; for instance, clothes and accessories might fetch a higher price on Poshmark rather than Offer Up.
Take advantage of the holiday season by selling decorations, electronics, collectibles, or anything that could be a potential gift. You might get a pleasant surprise realizing how your old possessions could turn into decent cash!
3. REDEEM YOUR CREDIT CARD REWARDS
If you own a rewards credit card, consider encashing your points for additional spending capital. Most credit card companies allow you to convert these points into cash back rewards usable as you please. Just keep an eye on redemption conditions and any applicable fees.
For instance, I personally use my Citi Double Cash Card for cash backs to subsidize my holiday expenditures. This card offers 1% cash back on all purchases and an added 1% when I pay off my balance. This year the cash back is allocated for fuel costs as we are driving 8 hours to visit family for the holidays.
4. TAKE UP A TEMPORARY WAREHOUSE JOB
Many retailers and logistics companies require extra hands during the holiday rush. Try applying for a seasonal job at a warehouse or a distribution center that typically offer hourly wages and overtime. Plus, there might be discounts on holiday gifts, helping you save on your personal shopping. If for instance, you’re contemplating earning additional Christmas money, consider firms like Amazon, FedEx, UPS, among others that are usually recruiting. Several companies also offer flexible timetables, sign-up bonuses, and weekly payouts. Moreover, these temporary positions might even open doors for permanent roles.
5. BECOME A DELIVERY PERSON
Another good option to supplement Christmas funds is to sign up as a delivery associate. Food delivering services like Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash are quite popular with plenty of earning opportunities. You can also think about working as a courier for Amazon Flex delivering parcels. Although driving costs such as gas and routine maintenance accrue, you also get to pocket all the tips. Numerous such apps offer weekly payouts or instant cashouts for a nominal fee.
6. SHOP THROUGH REWARDS APPS OR PARTICIPATE IN SURVEYS
If you desire an effortless way to generate some supplementary income, consider shopping through rewards apps or partaking in surveys. Multiple apps and portals pay you for shopping, watching promotional videos, completing surveys, etc. Swagbucks, InboxDollars and Rakuten are some of the popular ones. However, do review their payout thresholds and associated charges before signing up.
7. USE AMAZON’S TRADE-IN PROGRAM
Lastly, if you possess items to unload, Amazon’s trade-in option can help you raise extra Christmas cash. You can ship in things like books, electronics, DVDs in exchange for Amazon gift cards. It’s an excellent avenue to discard unneeded items while fattening your wallet.
In conclusion, the holiday season can be tense, but it doesn’t have to be. By employing these astute strategies for earning extra Christmas money, you can alleviate the financial stress and relish an untroubled festive season. Whether you choose to bin your surplus items online, sign up for a interim job, or utilize cashback rewards, there are plenty of choices to suit your needs. Happy holidays!
