***This is a Guest Post. <3 from the Dames***
The holidays are filled with fun, food, friends, and family–as well as extra expenses. Even if you love this time of year, spending more money than your used to can be stressful. Having a side hustle or second job can be a great way to replenish your bank account while also avoiding the headache that comes when the bills do. Here are five suggestions to get you started:
Get A Part-time Job
Just like yourself, retail stores, restaurants, and bars are all busier at this time of year. Higher foot traffic, family members in town, and school breaks make the holiday season a time for managers to consider bringing in more staff. With a higher demand, businesses have to accommodate by extending hours and adding extra shifts that normal staff cannot keep up with.
Take advantage of this hectic time to earn some extra cash while giving these businesses the help they need. Part-time jobs can often be about 10-15 hours of work a week to your schedule, which adds up over time (and won’t drain you from fun holiday activities).
Freelancing is another great way to earn some extra cash at this time of year, while also building your resume. There are many companies that will hire you for writing, web development, graphic design, and more to keep up with the increased workload. Fiverr and Upwork are all great resources to start with. And if writing and online work is your thing, consider starting a blog to bring in a little more dough.
Help People Out
The holiday season is all about giving (after all, that’s why you’re getting another job–to pay for all the gifts!). And there’s no reason your altruistic intentions can’t be rewarded monetarily. There are lots of odd-jobs that pay well while helping make the life of someone else a little easier.
Love people and animals? Sign up for an on-demand dog walking app like Wag or Rover that will connect you to pet owners who need a hand walking their pets. This is an especially great side hustle as you can build your own clientele after using the apps for a while and networking with owners you truly like. You also benefit from a flexible schedule.
TaskRabbit is another great on-the-go resource for picking up odd-jobs and earning extra money. With this app, you’ll do jobs ranging from picking up groceries to helping someone move. If you’ve got the extra time, lend an extra hand.
Drive
People need rides more than ever during the holidays to head to the airport, holiday parties, or even just to run a few extra errands. And you can take advantage of this by being a driver for a rideshare company such as Uber or Lyft.
There are major pros, like making your own schedule and being your own boss. You can pick up shifts whenever is most convenient for you, so it’s perfect for those with busy schedules and a full-time job. All you need is a car with enough room for passengers.
If you’re not comfortable with the idea of strangers riding in your car, consider driving for some food delivery companies, like UberEATs or Postmates. You’ll only have to drive food from point A to point B and can still take advantage of a flexible schedule and prime times for higher pay.
Rent Out A Room
Another great thing to take advantage of at this time of year is how much people travel, including yourself. To earn some extra funds, sign up to be a host on Airbnb or Wimdu. Both of these companies allow you to easily rent out a spare room in your home.
Being a host is one of the best ways to make money for the holidays – especially if you live in an area where people travel during the winter months. Just have to make sure it’s clean and comfortable (think WiFi and complimentary tea and coffee), and for an even nicer touch, decorate.
If you don’t have an extra room, consider using one of these sites to rent out your home while you’re out of town for the holidays. Don’t worry about letting strangers into your home while you’re away – each site has a vetting system that allows you to check out the renter’s profile before you agree to let them stay. You have all the control and the payment is always guaranteed.
Tutoring
People all over the world are in need of English teachers. If you need to earn a little something extra this season and are a native English speaker with a knack for teaching, a little patience, and a computer with Skype, there are lots of companies that will pay you to tutor remotely. Websites such as Indeed, Remote.co, and Learn4Good are all great places to start. Keep in mind that these jobs are based on demand, so you might have to check a few times before you land a job.
The holidays don’t have to be a season of worry. With a little extra work and a smile on your face, there are tons of side hustles out there to help grow your holiday budget this year.
Lexi Carr is a freelance writer with a passion for saving, helping, and eating meals that are more expensive than her budget allows. Follow her on Twitter at .