With the holidays in full swing, you might be feeling strapped for cash.
You have tons of people to shop for, and barely enough money left over to pay for the necessities.
So, what’s the solution?
Picking up an extra side gig might be the only way you can make ends meet and make some extra money before Christmas.
But, that opens the door for even more questions to pop up. Do you have the time to commit to another gig? What are you qualified to do? And, how can you fit in a new work schedule into your already too busy routine?
Scoring some extra cash doesn’t have to cost you an arm, a leg and every free weekend you have left.
There are a number of freelance gigs around the city that you can score before the month is up. This extra income is sure to make you feel more comfortable, giving you more time and income to spend on those late-night online shopping binges.
You don’t have to worry about throwing together a cheap gift at the last minute. You just need to buckle down and jump on any one of these opportunities before it’s too late.
5 Side Hustles To Help You Make Some Extra Cash Before The Holidays
1. Pick Up A Freelance Writing Gig
Freelance writing gigs are constantly being posted to job boars online. There are even sites dedicated solely to promoting writing and editing gigs to writers new and experienced.
If you’re in the editorial industry, or if you’re an expert in something unique and specific, you might be the perfect candidate for these online positions.
Oftentimes, these positions are flexible and remote. That means that you don’t have to worry about disrupting your normal schedule. And, most freelance writers work less than 10 hours a week.
You can work during a break or do some late-night writing if that’s what works for you.
Freelance writers can make anywhere from a few dollars a piece to over $100 depending on their skills and experience.
Check out job boards to see if there are any positions that match your skill set.
2. Drive with Lyft, Uber, Or Via
If you’re a city-dweller with a car, why not put it to good use?
Driving for companies like Lyft, Uber and Via can give you some hefty additional income — and all you need is a driver’s license, a car, and some free time.
There is no need to coordinate with a new boss to set down specific hours. You can decide when and where you want to drive based on what your schedule looks like.
And, depending on when you work, you can earn anywhere from a few hundred to up to thousands in a month.
That’s a perfect chunk of change to have with the holidays in full force and the city begging you to spend money around every corner.
3. Become An Affiliate Marketer Or Influencer
86 percent of brands turn to influencer marketing to promote products.
Affiliate marketing and influencer marketing are very similar. All you need is a solid online presence on social media, your own website or even a blog. With this established presence, you can promote products and services to your audience that brands will pay you for.
Influencers can make up to $200 per post for a smaller-scale influence. But, larger-scale influencers with more follower and connections can earn even more.
In order for this to be an option, you, of course, need to have that established presence. But, if you do, this really is a no-brainer!
4. Pick Up A Bartending Shift
Whether you have food service experience or not, the city is always looking for more bartenders.
And bartenders make bank! In tips, of course. But that doesn’t mean you can’t rock it.
Check out some local bars near you. They might have a few openings where you can learn quickly and start making bank.
Medium bartending hourly tips range from $8 to $15.
This is an option for those that don’t mind switching up their schedules and working more laborious hours. But, in the long run, even just a few extra hours a week can help you earn hundreds that will make your holiday shopping even easier.
5. Try Your Hand At Being A Barista
Another position that this city always needs filling is that of a barista.
I bet you can’t walk from one subway station to the next without walking by a coffee shop looking for help.
Being a barista isn’t the easiest of jobs. And, hours often start extremely early in the morning. But, if you’re in need of cash and don’t mind the early house, making those espressos might just be the part-time calling you’ve been looking for.
And, I mean, who doesn’t love free coffee?
