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Christmas is around the corner, and if you’re anything like me, you’re looking at that holiday budget thinking, “How can I make a little magic happen without breaking the bank?” Between gifts, holiday dinners, and all the seasonal “extras,” it can add up faster than you can say “credit card statement.”
But don’t worry, mama—I’ve got you! I’ve put together a list of super doable, time-flexible ways to make some extra cash before Christmas. No stress, no big commitments, and totally mom-approved!
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- 1. Sell Your Skills as a Freelancer
- 2. Pick Up a Seasonal Retail Job
- 3. Drive for Rideshare or Delivery Services
- 4. Start a Holiday Side Hustle
- 5. Sell Unused Items Around the House
- 6. Participate in Paid Surveys and Market Research
- 7. Maximize Your Spending with Cashback Apps
- 8. Babysitting, Pet Sitting, or House Sitting
1. Sell Your Skills as a Freelancer
Are you a wizard with words? Maybe you know your way around Canva, or you can manage a social media account like a pro. Freelance gigs are everywhere, and they’re perfect for moms because you can work whenever the kids are asleep (or, let’s be real, when they’re not climbing the furniture).
- What to Do: Offer your services on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or even in local mom groups. People need help with everything from writing blog posts and designing graphics to managing social media accounts and even virtual assistance.
- How Much You Can Make: Rates vary depending on your skill, but even a few hours a week can quickly add up to hundreds!
- Mom-to-Mom Tip: Set realistic time expectations. Evenings or weekends might be golden hours for this without taking time away from the family.
2. Pick Up a Seasonal Retail Job
Retail stores love holiday help! And no, I’m not suggesting you work a 40-hour week—think short shifts that fit around your schedule. Evenings, weekends, or even the random hours when grandma can babysit are perfect for making that holiday cash. Plus, there’s usually an employee discount, so… bonus!
- What to Look For: Apply at local stores or even online retailers who need remote customer service agents. Seasonal jobs are usually part-time, and they understand that you’re only there temporarily.
- Earnings Potential: Most seasonal jobs pay around $15-20/hour. Just a few shifts per week can quickly add up and cover a big chunk of holiday expenses.
- Mom-to-Mom Tip: Make it fun! If you love a particular store, it won’t even feel like work. And hey, if you get first dibs on the sales, that’s just an extra gift to yourself.
3. Drive for Rideshare or Delivery Services
Want to make money while listening to your favorite podcast or playlist? Try driving for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, or Instacart. You pick the hours that work for you, and there’s no boss breathing down your neck. Just you, the road, and (hopefully) a generous tipper.
I am a Door Dasher in my free time and have made enough to cover groceries for the week when I am really committed. It does add up quickly!
- What to Do: Sign up with a rideshare or delivery app, then go “on duty” during busy times (think evenings or weekends) for maximum earning potential.
- How Much You Can Make: Earnings depend on how many trips you do and the demand in your area, but many drivers report making around $15-25 per hour. Holiday season = peak demand.
- Mom-to-Mom Tip: Choose delivery if you’d rather not shuttle strangers. I mean, delivering a bag of tacos sounds like the easiest gig ever, right?
4. Start a Holiday Side Hustle
If you have a crafty side or some hidden skills, put them to good use with a holiday side hustle!
- Baking & Treats: If your kitchen skills are Instagram-worthy, bake cookies, pies, or holiday treats for local friends and family. Everyone loves homemade goodies, especially when they don’t have to bake them!
- Gift Wrapping Service: Put your gift-wrapping skills to work. Charge a few dollars per gift, and set up a cozy wrapping station right in your living room. Trust me, there are plenty of people who’d gladly pay to avoid the ribbon-and-tape nightmare.
- How Much You Can Make: You could charge $5-10 per item for wrapping services, or set a flat rate for a dozen holiday cookies. These add up quickly!
- Mom-to-Mom Tip: Take orders only from people you trust if you’re baking. You don’t want to be up until midnight baking 200 cookies because you got over-ambitious!
5. Sell Unused Items Around the House
Let’s face it, we all have “stuff.” Toys the kids no longer play with, clothes that somehow never made it out of the closet, or even that dusty treadmill you swore you’d use “someday.” Sell it!
- Where to Sell: Try Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark for clothes, or eBay for pretty much everything else. And if you have kids’ items, apps like Kidizen are great for selling used children’s clothing and toys.
- How Much You Can Make: It depends on what you’re selling, but you’d be surprised at how quickly it adds up. That unused baby gear might just pay for holiday gifts!
- Mom-to-Mom Tip: Post items with good lighting and clear descriptions, and be prepared to negotiate. Everyone loves a bargain, but your old “gently used” stuff can still bring in some decent cash.
6. Participate in Paid Surveys and Market Research
This one’s for those random pockets of time, like when you’re sitting in the carpool line or hiding in the bathroom for five minutes of peace. Paid surveys and market research can be an easy way to make extra cash without much effort.
- Where to Start: Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and Respondent.io are some legit options where you can actually get paid for your opinions.
- How Much You Can Make: Some surveys pay just a few bucks, but if you commit to it regularly, you could make a couple hundred dollars in no time.
- Mom-to-Mom Tip: Don’t spend more than 10-15 minutes per survey. It’s easy to get sucked into a long one that isn’t worth the time, so stick with high-paying surveys only.
Here are 10 trusted survey and market research platforms where you can earn cashback:
- Swagbucks – Earn points (SB) for completing surveys and redeem them for cash or gift cards
- Survey Junkie – A popular platform offering cash or gift cards for sharing your opinions
- InboxDollars – Earn money for surveys, watching videos, and other online activities
- Toluna – Participate in surveys and test products for rewards
- Pinecone Research – Offers higher payouts and product testing opportunities
- Branded Surveys – Get paid in cash or gift cards for completing surveys
- Ipsos i-Say – Share opinions on various topics and earn points for cash or prizes
- American Consumer Opinion – Provides payouts for sharing your feedback on new products
- Qmee – Earn instant payouts for completing surveys on various topics
- MyPoints – Accumulate points by completing surveys and redeem them for cashback or gift cards
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7. Maximize Your Spending with Cashback Apps
Who doesn’t love getting a little something back for all that holiday spending? Cashback apps are a busy mom’s secret weapon for stretching dollars while ticking items off the gift list. These apps make it easy to earn money back with minimal effort. Here are ten great options:
- Rakuten– Perfect for online and in-store shopping, Rakuten gives you cashback at hundreds of retailers.
- Ibotta – Upload receipts from grocery stores and retail shops to earn cashback.
- Fetch Rewards – Scan grocery receipts and redeem points for gift cards.
- Shopkick – Earn rewards for scanning items, making purchases, or even just walking into stores.
- Dosh – Link your credit card and earn cashback on dining and shopping automatically.
- TopCashback – Known for offering some of the highest cashback rates on online purchases.
- Honey – Save with coupon codes and earn cashback through Honey Gold.
- Receipt Hog – Upload any receipt to earn coins that can be redeemed for cash.
- Checkout 51 – Save on groceries and gas with weekly cashback deals.
- Swagbucks Live – A fun way to earn points through trivia and redeem for cashback.
A few minutes with these apps could mean a couple of extra gifts under the tree—or a well-deserved treat for yourself!
8. Babysitting, Pet Sitting, or House Sitting
Around the holidays, everyone needs a sitter! Babysitting, pet sitting, and even house sitting can bring in cash without a major commitment.
- How to Start: Post in local mom groups, on Nextdoor, or reach out to friends and family. A quick Facebook post might be all you need to land a gig.
- How Much You Can Make: Babysitting pays well, especially for date nights, and pet or house sitting can earn you hundreds over the holidays.
- Mom-to-Mom Tip: Offer packages (like “holiday date night rates”) or discounts for referrals. Your mama friends will thank you for it!
RELATED POSTS:
- Best Ways to Save Money Christmas Shopping
- 5 Tips to Save Money Shopping Online
- A Mom’s Ultimate Guide to a Christmas Shopping Budget
- Simplify Dinner Time with a Free Weekly Meal Planner Printable
Conclusion
See? Making extra cash doesn’t have to be a chore. With these flexible options, you can earn that extra $2,000 without disrupting your whole life. Pick one (or two!) that works for you, and watch your holiday fund grow faster than a toddler hyped up on hot cocoa!
Let’s make this holiday season stress-free and budget-friendly, mama!
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