Need Extra Holiday Cash? Expert-Approved Side Hustles That Can Help

We all feel financial strain during the holiday season. An exclusive CNET survey found that 72% of US adults say they’ll have to make some financial sacrifices to afford the holidays this year.

If you can’t afford travel and gifts, personal finance experts recommend two different options for increasing room in your budget: cut expenses, which might mean sacrificing purchases for friends and family, or earn more money. 

Taking on a temporary gig is one way to give yourself a money cushion. Daniella Flores, CNET Money’s side hustle expert and the founder of I Like to Dabble, says the holidays are a great time to start an additional job — especially if you have downtime or can generate income from a passion without sucking the fun out of it. And despite the fact that getting a second or part-time job isn’t a fast solution for most people, there are alternatives to make the holidays more affordable. 

4 side gigs you can start today to boost holiday savings 

Deciding whether to take on a side hustle, and choosing the right one, depends on your availability and priorities. Make sure you aren’t sacrificing what’s important to you, like quality time with your family, or your safety. 

For instance, pet sitting might be a perfect hustle if you work remotely and have a flexible schedule. Conversely, if you often run errands or commute, food delivery gigs could be a better fit.

Flores shared four side gigs to help you cash in over the holiday season. You can also get creative and kick-start a side hustle that works best for you, such as gift wrapping or baking. 

Pet sitting

People tend to travel more during the holidays and have to leave their four-footed friends behind. 

“This time of the year is huge for pet sitting,” said Flores. You can use pet-sitting apps like Rover and Meowtel to get started. Flores pointed out that you can set your own rate and work when you want, although you’ll often pay a service fee when using an app. You can also try asking around your neighborhood for upcoming opportunities. 

Even after the holiday season, you could continue this side hustle for households that need help caring for their pets during work hours or other vacations. 

Read more: I Made Thousands Last Year From a Side Hustle I Didn’t Mean to Start

Grocery or food delivery

Another hot commodity during the holidays? Grocery and food delivery for busy folks who don’t have time to spend wandering the aisles. 

“Many people need shopping done and are short on time. That’s where you come in,” said Flores.

You can check out popular delivery apps such as Uber Eats or Instacart to sign up and coordinate gigs to coincide with your availability. The delivery service can come in handy for big gatherings like Thanksgiving or football watch parties on evenings or weekends. 

Keep in mind that the pay isn’t consistent. How much you make can depend on the demand, time of day, distance and other factors. Instacart and other delivery services also charge fees that can dip into your pay. 

Sell your old stuff

Chances are you have clothes in your closet that aren’t your style anymore. Or maybe you have extra electronics that you barely use. Flores recommends turning those cast-offs into cash.

“If you also have any unwanted gifts from last year or holiday clothes you’ve outgrown, try selling those on apps like Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark and eBay to make extra cash.”

Bola Sokunbi, a CNET Money expert and founder of Clever Girl Finance, also recommends selling things that households need most, such as baby essentials. As people prepare for the holidays, they may buy your unused items as gifts to save money, all while putting cash in your pocket. 

Selling second-hand items isn’t a steady source of income, but if you’re looking for extra dollars to help you afford the holiday season, this gig shouldn’t cut much into your weekly schedule. 

Read more: Looking for Some Extra Cash? What One Money Expert Recommends to Make Ends Meet

Freelance

Flores recommends turning your skills into a holiday freelance hustle. For example, you may be able to take holiday pictures at a park or design holiday cards. While these gigs may take longer to secure because you need a client base, they could generate significant income in both the long and short term.

“Look up any freelance gigs hiring on Linkedin,” Flores said. You can also tell your friends and family or post on social media to spread the word. 

If you plan to take on freelance design, photography or writing work, make sure you have a portfolio and resume ready. Establish rates and evaluate your schedule so you can make sure to deliver the work during the holidays. 

It’s never too late to start a side gig

With holiday sales underway, you might be worried there’s not enough time to establish another stream of income. But Flores says not to stress. 

“There are plenty of side gigs that you can start exploring now to start saving for Black Friday and other holiday shopping deals,” she said. 

Flores suggests checking out gig apps to see what’s available near you. Some of these apps require a background check and verification, so if you plan to get started, don’t wait. The initial process could take more time than expected. 

Aside from the apps mentioned above, here are a few others to check out. 

• Fiverr for freelancer service opportunities including search engine optimization, business consulting, writing, design and music. 

• Lyft or Uber if you’re comfortable driving around your city. Giving rides to and from the airport during the holidays could be a moneymaker. 

• TaskRabbit to complete tasks around your neighborhood, such as running errands, assembling furniture or helping someone move. 

• Etsy to sell your crafts and digital products that can be gifts for the holidays. Handmade scarves or a digital file of a holiday card are two examples. 

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