No matter the season or the temperature, there are many practical ways to earn some extra cash.
I write often about side income on Making Sense of Cents, so I wanted to update a list of options for earning extra money. With the holidays approaching (it’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is this week!), a little extra income can really help.
People look for side income for many reasons — to cover holiday gifts, to pay down student loans, to save for travel, or simply to build a financial cushion. Whatever your motivation, taking on a side gig is a positive step.
Below are a range of ways you can make extra money during the holidays and beyond.
Offer your expertise.
One newer way to monetize knowledge is through platforms that connect people asking specific questions with experts who can provide clear answers. For example, Rewarder.com is a marketplace for knowledge: users post a question or a problem and set a reward, and experts submit solutions. The person who provides the best answer receives the posted reward.
Rewarder has seen significant activity, with millions posted in rewards and hundreds of thousands of users participating. Typical examples include:
- Someone who bought an espresso machine abroad and needed advice to make it compatible with U.S. electrical standards gets guidance from a coffee enthusiast who faced the same issue.
- A person unsure whether a rock found on a lakeshore was a fossil posts a photo and receives a helpful identification from a professional archaeologist.
- Another user described a garage door that wouldn’t close properly for months and received a step-by-step troubleshooting guide tailored to the model, which resolved the issue.
If you have specialized knowledge — technical, legal, medical, DIY, or hobby-related — sharing it can generate income and help others at the same time.
Use Swagbucks and similar rewards sites.
Swagbucks is a search engine and rewards portal that lets you earn points (“swagbucks”) for everyday online activities like searching, watching short videos, taking surveys, and shopping. Points can be redeemed for gift cards, including popular retailers like Amazon.
It isn’t a way to get rich quickly, but if you already spend time online, using a rewards site for routine searches and small tasks can add up. Many users report redeeming gift cards worth a couple hundred dollars after consistent use. There are also other rewards platforms and survey sites that operate similarly; comparing a few can help you find the best fit.
Sell items you no longer need.
Clearing out unused items is a simple way to earn cash and free up space. Options include:
- Selling clothing and accessories to local resale shops like Buffalo Exchange or Plato’s Closet.
- Listing electronics, furniture, or collectibles on marketplaces like Craigslist, eBay, or local buy-and-sell groups.
- Holding a neighborhood yard sale when weather permits.
Freelance your skills.
Freelancing covers a wide range of services: writing, graphic and web design, web development, social media management, video editing, bookkeeping, and more. Platforms such as Fiverr and TaskRabbit can help you test demand and build a client base. If you hold professional licenses or certifications, make sure they’re visible to potential clients during searches or on your profiles.
Find a seasonal job.
Many companies hire additional workers for the holiday season. Large shippers and retailers routinely hire thousands of temporary workers, and local stores often add staff for increased demand. Seasonal work can provide steady short-term income and sometimes lead to longer-term employment opportunities.
Offer snow removal services.
If you live in a snowy area, shoveling driveways and sidewalks can be a profitable seasonal service. With the right equipment, including a snow plow, earnings can increase substantially. Even basic neighborhood shoveling can be in demand after heavy storms.
Other seasonal and side-income ideas
Here are additional ways to earn extra money during the holidays:
- Work at a Christmas tree lot or other seasonal retail pop-up.
- Clean gutters as part of fall maintenance services.
- Rake leaves for neighbors.
- Become a dog walker or pet sitter.
- Offer personal training sessions — January brings many people eager to start fitness goals.
- Babysit during holiday events or travel periods when families need reliable childcare.
- Start photography services for family holiday portraits or events if you have the skills and equipment.
- Take paid online surveys or join market research panels.
- Try mystery shopping assignments for restaurants and retail stores.
- Rent a spare room in your home short-term.
- Join a research group or participate in a paid medical study if eligible.
- Sell handmade goods or crafts on platforms like Etsy.
- Offer house-sitting services while neighbors travel for the holidays.
There are many legitimate ways to earn extra income during the holiday season. Choose the options that best match your skills, time availability, and local demand.
Do you pursue extra income during the holidays? What methods work best for you?