Eight money makers to put towards your Christmas spending 

Shoestring Jane give eight quick money-making tips to put towards your Christmas spending

I know there is always a huge collective groan whenever I mention Christmas during the Summer, but it is coming! 

Christmas is said to be the most wonderful time of the year, but not if you are broke. Last year the Independent predicted that the average UK family would spend around £1800 on gifts, food, entertainment and decorations.

It must be planned and saved for when you are on a budget. You still have time to increase your Christmas savings pot and help remove some of the financial anxiety of the festive season. With this in mind, I have compiled a list of eight quick moneymakers to put towards your Christmas spending.

1# Get paid to walk your dog

Biscuit is a great little app that allows you to earn vouchers and discounts from various retailers, simply for walking your dog. 

You need to input your dog’s microchip details, and then remember to switch on the app at the start of each walk. When you walk every day, it doesn’t take long to gather ‘biscuits’, which can be converted to money in the form of vouchers.

So far, I have earned £40 of M&S vouchers, but I could have chosen vouchers to spend at Caffe Nero, Costa or various restaurants, or taken advantage of discounts on dog training, treats or pet-sitting.

2# Host language students

If you have a spare room some of the time, hosting language students from around the world is an interesting way to make extra cash and learn about other cultures.

English UK says you can earn up to £250 a week hosting students, but it will depend on where you live. This was my favourite side hustle for several years, and you can read my experience and tips on how to do it here.

3# Airbnb

Another way to make money from your spare room is to join Airbnb as a host. You don’t have to live in a palace with a pool. A clean room with a comfy bed in a family home can do well, too. You can find guidance on becoming an Airbnb host here. 

4# Sell your old clothing

You can sell unwanted clothing and homewares easily on the Vinted app for free, so why not have a wardrobe declutter?

To compete, eBay has also removed fees for clothing, but they still charge selling fees on footwear, accessories and anything else from your home, so bear this in mind when setting your prices.

5# Make money on books and media

There are many companies that will buy your old books, DVDs, CDs and games. The most well-known are probably Ziffit, Music Magpie, WeBuyBooks and AbeBooks, although there are others. They buy to sell on, and therefore you may get a very low price, but this adds up if you have a few to sell.

Items with a potentially higher value may be better sold individually, such as textbooks, first editions, signed or out of print books, and vintage games. Check what people are asking (as well as sold prices) on eBay or Amazon. Bear in mind the fees you will be charged and the cost of the postage.

6# Use cashback on every purchase

Sign up for cashback sites like TopCashback or Quidco to make money back on your online purchases.

Retailers pay these sites to drive traffic to them, and they pass some of that to you. It soon adds up and you can cash out straight to your bank account.

7# Rent out your driveway

If you live in a busy town or city, especially if you are near a station, airport or city centre, you can make money by renting out your driveway or parking space. If it sits empty all day whilst you are at work, it requires little effort. 

A quick internet search will give you a list of sites to help you rent a parking space, such as JustPark, Your Parking Space or Park On My Drive.

8# Switch banks

Many banks offer cash incentives of potentially hundreds of pounds for you to switch to them. These deals change frequently, so research the best current switching deals before making a move.

Check cashback sites too, as signing up via one of these then switching could net you some money back on top of the bank’s incentive. Be aware that you will be credit checked when you apply.

Final thoughts

Obviously, this is not a comprehensive list of quick moneymakers, but hopefully these ideas will get you started.

Make sure you keep your Christmas savings pot separate, so you aren’t tempted to dip in. Ideally, pay a small amount in every month throughout the year as soon as you get paid, then add any extra earnings on top. It soon adds up!

Being financially prepared for Christmas will help ease your financial anxiety and help prevent starting the new year with debt.