Everybody loves Christmas and the joy that the festive season brings. But over the years, Christmas has become pretty expensive. This means that people are working harder to provide for their family at this time of year and to create the most magical Christmas day ever.
Whether it is buying a special gift for the family or the toys that your kids have wanted all year, a lot of people end up in debt at Christmas. This is the last thing that anybody wants and going into the new year with credit card bills or loans is not going to be the new start anyone wishes for.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, you can have an amazing Christmas by starting to save and earn some extra cash right now! We have rounded up some of the best ways to earn money and save for Christmas that you wouldn’t have thought of before. Check them out!
How to earn and save money for Christmas?
Check out Sales Online
Nowadays, you can save a lot of money by shopping online in advance for Christmas. It is no secret that some department stores are overpriced and you can find the exact same items online for less. So, make sure you have a look online before you go shopping on the high street. You would be surprised how much you can save or what discount codes could bag you money off your order.
In addition, there are plenty of sales leading up to Christmas that you can take advantage of to save money. This includes Black Friday, Cyber Monday and pre-Christmas deals. If you have an idea of what you would like to buy, shop around and see what the different online stores are offering.
Collect Cashback
Before you buy anything online, check whether you can grab cashback on your purchases. There are now so many cashback websites that are offering you free money when you buy something or from a certain store. This could save you a lot of money on your Christmas presents without any effort! Of course, be careful that you are not just buying this item for the cashback; after all, this would be a waste of money. But, be sure to check out the cashback websites and you could be in for a nice surprise.
Search for Discount Codes to save money for Christmas
All the time, online shops and brands are offering money off your internet shopping. So, you would be silly not to check out the discount codes! There are websites dedicated to offering you free-to-use discount codes and coupons, so before you buy anything online, check them out and see if you can save some money on your shopping. While there is money off and buy one get one free, there can also be free gifts when you spend over a certain amount. This could be a fantastic way to get more for your money around Christmas time.
Use YourParkingSpace
Do you have a parking space, driveway or garage that you never use? Well, it is about time you started making money from it! This may seem like just an empty space to you, but it can also be a goldmine that can earn you some money for Christmas. At YourParkingSpace, you can now list your area as somewhere for someone to park safely and they will pay for it. It is so simple and can be a nice earner for extra presents and gifts at this time of the year. In particular, if you live near a train station, airport, stadium or town centre, you will be able to charge more for your great location. You don’t have to have any interaction with the person parking your car if you don’t want to; you can just enjoy being paid. While somebody may only pay for your parking space one time, there are also people that will hire it monthly, which means that you can make money into the new year too!
Buy and Sell Unused Items
We could all do with clearing out some old stuff that we never use. But now that you can sell almost anything online, there is a big incentive to do this now and earn some extra money for Christmas. It is an easy and fast way to make money online and declutter to make room for Christmas presents. For example, you can sell old electronics, clothes, DVDs and books on the internet. There are a variety of websites you can choose from, such as eBay, Gumtree and local Facebook groups. Plus, there are now a bunch of amazing apps for selling clothing too.
What’s more, you can also buy items on these websites that are pretty much brand new. This can save you money on gifts and toys for the kids without anyone knowing that you paid half the price! If you're wondering how to make extra money for Christmas, selling unused items is a great idea.
Start Mystery Shopping To Make Extra Money
Do you love to shop? Well, it is about time you signed up for mystery shopping! Now you can get paid to go around different stores and talk about your experience. This is very easy and fun to do, as well as some offering reimbursement for the purchases you make. This might mean that you can grab some Christmas presents while you are there! All you have to do is sign up and see what tasks come up in your area. Mystery shopping is one of the best ways to make money before Christmas.
Buy Train Tickets in Advance
If you are travelling home for Christmas then you will know how expensive it can be to get a ticket at the last minute. So, to avoid the Christmas rush, book your train tickets in advance! Normally, rail operators will release the tickets around 10 to 12 weeks in advance, which means you can arrange your seat and save some money. Planning ahead is the best way to grab yourself a deal when it comes to travel!
Website Testing
One of the best ways to make extra money online is by testing websites. There are companies that are letting you work from home, testing websites to see if they are user friendly and work properly. If you have some spare time, you can get paid for doing some simple work. Normally, all you need is to download some software and this will record your screen and you talk through the website, discussing its strengths and weaknesses. You don’t have to have any knowledge about computers; it is all about the way you interact with the website as a user. Anyone can earn some extra cash!
Take Advantage of Loyalty Cards
Loyalty cards are there for a reason and they are a fantastic way to save money at Christmas time. You collect points and discounts all year round at your favourite stores, so save them up and put them towards gifts and presents. You will be surprised how much you have saved if you haven’t check them in a while. They are there to be used, so use them wisely at this expensive time of year!
Start Pet Sitting and Walking
Do you love animals? Well, pet sitting or dog walking can be a quick way to make money! This has become a new occupation that anybody can enjoy, which means that people will pay you to look after their pets when they are on holiday or take their dog on a walk during the day. If you love animals, this is a fantastic and fun way to make some money for Christmas. You can do jobs around your work schedule or at the weekends. There are plenty of websites or apps you can sign up to and make some new furry friends, as well as enjoy a regular income with the same clients every week!
Complete Surveys Online
Want to earn some extra money for Christmas in your spare time? Now you can by completing surveys online! All you need is a computer or smartphone and you can complete surveys on just about anything. There are websites that want to know your opinion and thoughts on a variety of topics and they will pay you for your time. While it won’t be a lot, you can easily make extra money when you are watching the television or even when you are travelling. What’s more, you can be given gift vouchers for your time, which means that you can give these as a present for Christmas!