WhereYouAreNow

Yes, it is that time of year. Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away and then Christmas about one month from there. What does that one month bring?

Happiness? Joy? Family and Friends? Warm night by the fire? Cutting down a the Christmas tree? Driving one hour to get to that Christmas tree? Giving your beautiful yellow lab a red ribbon as a collar?

Well…maybe some of that, if all of it I will like to see pictures please. Most of us will be shopping like crazy that last month before December 25th. And while we have been stressing since day one planning ahead for Christmas and budgeting for gifts, there are just some things that do not make into that budget, or you would simply like to save money regardless of all the gifts you are giving. Well, how are you going to save that extra cash or give that extra gift? I have listed below some ideas that you may use to get started. They are all relatively easy and do not require any capital to get started!

1. eBay – I have spoken about eBay in the past and believe that this is the best, easiest, and most lucrative way to make some extra cash. I bet if you remove emotions from items you have laying around you could sell $300 worth on eBay after selling fees and PayPal fees. I did this and continue to when I remove that emotion. And, the best part about eBay is that just about anything will sell, or at least have a chance of doing so. All it takes is a sellers account (on eBay), a PayPal account (to get paid securely), a digital camera, and a good description of the item. From there, let the beauty of eBay do the rest. Answer buyer questions the same day they ask and be fair with your shipping price. Do a little research before you list it. Compare your item to other items like it and see what they are charging for shipping and the minimum bid. If you have questions about eBay and how to do it right, shoot me an email (aaron@whereyouarenow.com) and I’ll give you hand.

2. Raking leaves – I did this last year and made a boat load of money. The yard was the size of two football fields and should have been hired out to a landscape company, but I got the job. It took me 16 hours of labor, but I walked away with $300 (that’s $18.75/hour). Raking leaves can be done on the weekend, so it does not interfere with your primary job. This is a great source of extra cash. Just like the next item, all you need to do here is offer. Knock on the door and ask if they’d like it done…

3. Shoveling drive ways/sidewalks – Same ideas as raking leaves except a little colder. Knock on doors in your neighborhood and offer to shovel (or use a snow blower if you have one) their driveway and/or sidewalk. Charge a flat fee and keep it under one hour, unless you charge for more.

4. Hanging exterior Christmas lights – I have never done this, but I have heard of people doing it. All it takes is a twelve foot folding ladder and a staple gun. This one may require a little advertising, simple ads that you can put in front doors, so that the people know you are there and can call to schedule. Again, charge a flat fee and keep it under one hour.

5. Donating Plasma – This is another one that I have not personally done, but Jonathan Blundell told me that it is a great way to earn some extra cash. Here is some more information on exactly what plasma is and where/how you can donate. (Also visit: http://www.donatingplasma.org/)

6. Gift wrapping service – I have done this on a volunteer level, but know for a fact that people will pay to have this service done. The holidays are very busy times for people and the last thing some of them want to do is wrap the gifts they just spent hours buying. Again, a flat fee is the key here. Just make sure you cover your material and labor.

7. Deliver Christmas Trees – This comes to you from Roxbury News. I asked him what he thought would be a good way to make some extra cash this holiday season: “[Christmas] tree delivery for inner city people who don’t have cars”. This is an excellent idea! Just like the light hanging idea above, advertise in advance so you can line up some deliveries.

8. Part time job – This is always an option, and Dan Faust says to check out book stores: “Book stores usually need extra help for the holidays, and books are easier to wrap than most other gifts.” So this wraps into the gift wrapping service too (no pun intended, unless it made you laugh). You’ll probably need to pick one or the other though. Offer to wrap for their customers at a reduced rate if they let you do it in their store.

9. Pre/Post Party Clean Up – What do people do around Thanksgiving and Christmas? Throw parties! And what do people do before and after these parties? Clean up! Why not offer your cleaning abilities and do the work for them so they can worry about the guest list and food. Flat fee, a broom, dust pan, swiffer, dust rag, and you’re in business. You probably all ready have the supplies, just print out some flyers and advertise where you think the parties are going to happen this year.

10. What About Saving Money? – Kristin has a great idea for those of you who are parents:

Say you need to go shopping for your kids; obviously, you can’t have the kids with you.  There’s always the Mom-Dad trade-off (Mom takes kids while Dad shops, Dad takes kids while Mom shops), but let’s face it, this is tough (and impossible for single parents).

So you make an offer to a neighbor, friend, or relative: you’ll watch their kids for an evening or a day so they can do their holiday shopping unencumbered, if they’ll do the same for you. If successful, it’s a nice way to save money on a possible babysitter, and save guilt on handing your kids off to a neighbor or relative.

The key for most of these is the price you charge. Keep in mind that this is not your full time job, you are just looking for some extra cash, so charge like that’s what it is. If it turns into a little business for you, awesome, but for now just make the extra cash.

What did I miss? What have you done in the past to make some extra dough around the holidays? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!