8 Low Effort Ways To Get Extra Cash For The Holidays

The holidays are expensive. Big gifts, big meals, and big winter coats mean that there’s no shame in picking up a side hustle (or two)! But seasonal and part-time jobs come with little flexibility and lots of work and let’s be real: they’re not ideal for people who want to choose their own schedule. If you’re in search of the perfect side gig—one with the holy trifecta of flexibility, ease, and $$$—you’re in luck!

From testing websites to taking over Tiktok, we’ve gathered 8 ways you can make some extra cash during this busy season. Boo-yeah!

1. Deliver… Anything!

Since 2020, the demand for delivery services has exploded. Now, more than ever, people are giving into the convenience of delivery — from dinner and alcohol to even weekly groceries.

The perks: Set your own hours, work however much or little you like, and the best of all—tips! So if you’re searching for something flexible that won’t cut into precious family time or work hours, this is a fantastic way to go.

The downsides: Pretty much every delivery app requires you to drive a car, so if you don’t own one or aren’t comfortable with driving, this might not be the gig for you.

Pro Tip: When starting, it can be easy to get discouraged from one bad day. Set a goal for $100 to start, and soon, you’ll be flying through those orders!

2. Pet Sitting/Pet Walking

Do you like animals more than people? Would you rather pet a dog than deal with humans on a daily basis? If your answer was yes, you should look into pet sitting or dog walking! Apps like Wag and Rover make it easy for you to connect with people looking for someone to take care of their pet while they’re away from home.

The perks: Setting your own hours and your own rates (start around $15 to $20 per walk and $30+ per night for pet sitting)—that flexibility is the best part of this gig. And with the holiday season coming up, you’ll hopefully get lots of jobs looking after lonely pets!

The downside: The hardest part of this is starting—finding clients that trust you and networking isn’t easy, but once you get going, those positive reviews will only lead to more opportunities!

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask happy customers to leave a positive review. When you’re just starting out, people want to help you build that portfolio, especially if they loved how you cared for their pet!

3. Tutoring Elementary/Middle School Subjects

So, you probably can’t tutor theoretical mathematics, but you know what you can teach? Middle school algebra.

The perks: Tutoring a young child and helping them through the highs and lows of academia can be fun and interesting, and the pay isn’t half bad either! Sites like Wyzant and TutorMe allows you to list your services, determine your rate (start with $15 to $30 dollars an hour), and find people who need tutoring help.

The downside: Much like pet sitting, the hardest part about this side gig is starting—after all, you are asking parents to trust you with their child’s academics. However, if you like working with children and have the patience to walk someone through the pythagorean theorem, you’ll do great. Having references and previous SAT scores certainly help!

4. Sell Your Junk

You’ve heard of spring cleaning, but have you heard of winter cleaning? Well, I just made that up, but I’m also not wrong. Now is a great time to go through that dusty attic, cluttered garage, and back of the closets to get rid of anything you don’t need, don’t use, or simply don’t want anymore. But don’t throw them away!

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and that’s never more true than on sites like Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp.

The perks: From video games, to books, to massage chairs you never used, this is the perfect way to turn your old stuff into new money. The best part is that you don’t even have to go anywhere to make it! Just list the item for sale and tell the buyer when and where to pick it up.

The downside: It can be time-consuming to take good pics, write descriptions, set your price, and list.

Pro Tip: Do some market research to make sure you’re not over or undervaluing your item. Don’t sell an old mirror for $15 when people are willing to pay $150 for it!

5. Create Tiktoks

Before you roll your eyes—yes, this is not for everyone. Making content online consistently is work! However,

The perks: If you’re someone who’s willing to put in that work and build a following, the TikTok Creator Fund does make people a decent amount of money. Find a topic you can talk about for hours—whether it’s WWE or movies or even airplane engineering—and start with short, 15 second videos. You’ll be surprised by how well finding a niche works!

The downside: On social media apps, it’s quantity over quality. It may not be overnight but if you’re posting often about a topic you’re passionate about, eventually, people who are also interested in that topic will follow you and start engaging with your content!

Pro Tip: If you’re seriously considering becoming an online creator, it may be time to invest in a ring light. The difference good lighting makes on the algorithm is like night and day.

6. Test Websites

Another gig that sounds boring—but pays decently well—testing websites is something that lots of companies will pay you to do! Companies hire sites like UserTesting and UserFeel to find people who will test their website for errors, flow, and other user experience (UX) questions.

The perks: The best part about UX testing is that they want everyday people to use these websites—not someone with lots of design experience—because they want to know what the average person will think about their product. It’s ridiculously simple, and very satisfying to give your real thoughts on an online experience. Plus, you can earn around $10 to $15 dollars for a 20 min review!

The downside: It can take time! And depending on the topic, you might get a tiny bit bored.

7. Make and Sell Your Creations

Are you crafty? Do you sometimes make small paintings or jewelry for fun? If making something brings you joy, why not sell them online and make a profit? Sites like Etsy and Redbubble are the perfect avenue to list your products and make some extra money for the holidays. Think candles, knitted items, jewelry, t-shirts, and even fun home decor!

The perks: It can be fun and rewarding! Plus, people will definitely be shopping online and looking for gifts to give their loved ones during the holidays, so there’s no better time to start that online shop and get to work.

The downside: You might have some competition out there on the internet but if you keep at it, your work is sure to shine through!

Pro Tip: If you want to sell online, look into perfecting your keywords. In the online marketplace, competition is tough, but if you include the right keywords, people will find your products first when they search for “homemade knitted gloves.”

8. Look Into What You’re Good At, And Hustle!

Making money is simultaneously the easiest and hardest thing to do in the world. Thinking outside of the box will help you get there, because you can do some things other people can’t, and only you know what that is!

The perks: Tons of fun! Get creative, find out what you’re good at, and see if you can turn that talent into some cold hard cash.

The downside: It can be tricky to decide what you want to focus on, but that’s all the more reason to jump in and learn what you love!

Pro Tip: A great place to find people doing this (and to get inspired) is Fiverr. There, you can find people offering a wide variety of services for money, from $5 to much, much more. Scroll through and see if you can provide any of those services, and if the answer is yes—well, you know what you’re doing tomorrow!

Chasing the Holiday Bread

Life is like a sandwich—no matter how it falls, the bread comes first! With this list, hopefully you’ve found a new and simple way to make some extra cash for the holidays—all while keeping your freedom to spend more time with friends and family. Because when all’s said and done, that’s what matters the most. Happy holidays, and happy hustling!