I walked into Costco the other day and BAM… Christmas trees, wreaths, bows, garlands, lights… All right there when we walked in. It’s a painful reminder that Christmas is almost here!
Which of course brought up the question: do I have my Christmas money yet?!
Long and short is yes, I do. Thanks to a few easy places to earn a few extra bucks that will add up way before the holidays.
1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is the super-easy way to earn money just by being online watching Youtube clips, listening to music, answering surveys, interacting with ads and other links. If you get 100 points a day (totally doable to double that in a day) between now and Christmas, you will have more than $60 that you can redeem at Amazon (they have a deal where you can get a $25 gift card for $22, or 2300 points), Walmart, Target, Paypal, and Starbucks!
If you have tried Swagbucks but hate how long it takes to earn, check out this super in-depth post about how I make the most of my time on Swagbucks.
If you use the code “cowcountry15” you’ll get 300SB to help get you started.
2. Ebates
Ebates is a cash back website that I absolutely love. If you do any shopping online, you’ll want to try out Ebates. If you’re already going to buy things online, wouldn’t you rather make 8% back on the toys or clothes you were going to get? I know I would!
If you buy anything online, chances are Ebates has a cash-back opportunity for that store. Sephora, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Overstock, and so many others have cash back deals with Ebates.
Plus, their holiday referral program is amazing. You don’t need to be a blogger to benefit from their referral program. If you can get 3 people to sign up (and all of them will get $10 gift cards, too), you’ll earn $75. That’s you mom, sister, and sister-in-law, and boom, you have $75!
Check out more of the best ways to save using Ebates. Plus you get a free $10 gift card just for signing up here!
3. Have a yard sale.
It might be a pain to set up, but it’s a great way to clear out space in your home while making money. Check with your local church or moms group to see if anyone else would want to get together to do a community yard sale.
4. Craigslist
If you can’t sell your stuff at a yard sale, try your hand at Craigslist. Post pictures of the item, and post it along with your email. Never use your phone number on your listing or your address. Cash only. And always meet in a public place, and bring a friend along when you do the transaction. Police stations offer safe places to conduct Craigslist transactions for free. Craigslist is usually safe, but better to be safe than sorry with all the weirdos out there!
5. eBay
I really love eBay, both for buying AND selling. I got my husband AND sons brand new football jerseys that had some “defect” (that we still can’t find after 2 years, by the way) for $19 and $11. Can’t beat that!
Selling is super easy there, too. You can even do it right from your phone. Take pictures, write a description, ask price, set shipping price, and you’re done.
Once it’s sold, you get your shipping payment and print your label, and viola! Super easy. You’d be shocked what people will buy off of eBay, so list everything from used clothes to diamond jewelry.
6. Bloggers
Have you started using Amazon affiliates yet? If not, you need to! It’s a great way to earn affiliate income even if you’re just starting out. The best thing about amazon affiliate is that after someone clicks on your link, you get an affiliate commission from everything that they purchase. Not just the one item you linked to!
7. Amazon
IÂ love Amazon. I did almost all of my Christmas shopping online last year and discovered Prime on December 22. (Yes, bad mommy moment not shopping for gifts before 2 days before Christmas!) But I started a free trial for Prime on December 22 and I got my packages on the 24th, in enough time to wrap them and everything. They even deliver on Sundays!
If you’re in a pinch and need a gift in 2 days, Prime is awesome. There’s a lot of other fantastic things that come with Prime, but I don’t want you to think that this is a commercial for Prime (because it’s not!), I just love Amazon!
8. Amazon Trade-In
If you’re getting a new Xbox or a new phone or camera for Christmas, you don’t really need your old model, right? Why not make some money off of it? I used to use the Amazon trade-in program for my old textbooks from college. Amazon paid so much more for them than the stupid University store did. And they paid for the shipping label and everything. All you had to do was put it in a box and take it to the post office.
Now Amazon’s trade-in covers almost everything from old cell phones to DVDs, CDs, old books, and plenty of other stuff. And if they don’t like whatever it is you sent them, they’ll send it back for free, too. So basically you have nothing to lose here with trading to Amazon.
Have you started saving for Christmas? What have you done to bring in some extra cash?
Jill says
These are great tips! I’ve never heard of Swagbucks and need to check that out ASAP!
Jill
Doused In Pink
Caroline says
Definitely check it out. Totally worth it!
Tricia@MissSippiPiddlin says
Great post! I love Amazon and hardly buy anything that is not on Prime! Thanks for these great tips!
Caroline says
I’m the same way, Tricia! I filter by Prime only all the time!
Debbie says
I’m also going to start doing my Christmas shopping this week.
We don’t buy that much, but since I’m also going to Brazil early January, I will look for some stuff to take with me too.
Thanks for sharing these great tips on #tiptuesday.
Christie says
I had no idea about swagbucks! Thx for the tip! Definitely will look into that. #aldercollective
Heather says
What are some of the most beneficial things to do on Swagbucks? I’ve tried it a little but sometimes feel like it’s wasting my time because I’ll only get 2 or 3 SB for what I’m doing. The higher-paying things seem to have to do with buying something… what good opportunities could you suggest?
Thanks!
Caroline says
Hi Heather! My favorite thing to do with Swagbucks is this: go to the music app and turn it on in the background (you get 5SB every 30 minutes), then I go to the nCrave section and click on a video. In a new window, I open up the survey section and make the 2 windows next to each other like columns so you can see both screens). I go to the Peanut Lab section. They usually have surveys that are shorter and have a nice amount of SB. There’s also usually some really easy ones under “Discover;” click or press play or look on a website, usually something easy like that for 2 or 3SB at a time. I always try to make the daily goal each day. That way, you get around 10 points each day you met the goal by the end of the month!
I hope this helps!
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
Oooh, this is great!
I was surprised that I have pretty much all the gifts for my girls and I’m almost done shopping for my husband. I’ve been doing bits of purchases all year.
It’s still nice to have some extra cash for the season though!
Thank you for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Caroline says
It’s amazing what spreading out the Christmas shopping does! I feel so much less stressed and pressured to get everything in a month now!
Jessica says
I have earned quite a few gift cards for amazon with swagbucks. I actually find, for me, that the surveys are a waste of time. I spend 5 minutes finding out that I don’t actually qualify after all, but I use their mobile apps, and just run them while I sleep, or while I am doing other things during the day. It’s an easy way to get some extra cash for sure.
Caroline says
That’s such a great idea, Jessica! What exactly do you run overnight?
Jamie says
So many great tips and sources to save money – I love it!! I’ve actually been done with my Christmas shopping since about August. I start about December 26th and get it done quick with sales and great things I find during the year! 🙂
Caroline says
That’s such a great idea, Jamie! I’m getting better at that, myself. But I’ve still got some plenty of shopping to do!
Hannah@SeeingtheLovely says
Hmm, I’ve heard of Swagbucks but never tried it. How long do you usually spend on it each day?
Caroline says
Honestly, I usually spend a half an hour at least. Usually I do it while I’m paying attention to other things. I’m going to do a post on how I do Swagbucks next week!
Hannah@SeeingtheLovely says
The time commitment is what makes me hesitate the most about Swagbucks. I look forward to reading your post on how you do it! 🙂
Caroline says
I know the hesitance, Hannah! Until I figured out multi tasking on Swagbucks, I wasted so much time on one thing at a time and before I knew it, an hour had gone by and I got 10 Swagbucks to show for it.
Rose says
My friend keeps telling me to go the ebates route. I don’t do a lot of shopping online but that’s only an excuse. I have a few ideas of what I want but am by no means ready for Christmas. Not this year or any year.
Caroline says
I always feel the same way, Rose! No matter what, I’m always taken aback by the reality of shopping at the holiday and how much goes into the whole holiday THING! I’ve never really gotten into Ebates, but I’m really happy with it!
angie says
great ideas, a few I all ready participate in, a few new ones that I will be checking out. We all like a bit more $$ in the holidays and you shared some great ideas thanks
come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Caroline says
Thanks, Angie!
Sharon Saunders says
ooo some great ideas of things i’ve never heard of! thank you #PoCoLo
Verily Victoria Vocalises says
I am so with you on Amazon and Swagbucks! I have to say that I left Amazon Prime around a year and a half ago and went back to it this summer – mainly because I wanted to watch Amazon Prime TV but is so useful to have the delivery again too! Welcome to #PoCoLo – thank you so much for linking and hope to see you again x
Kelsie says
These are some really great ideas! Thanks so much for sharing with The Alder Collective!
Phyllis says
Great ideas! I just started using Swagbucks. I am not sure what I’m doing yet, but I’m all for making a little extra dough! 🙂 Thanks for sharing the wonderful tips…holiday spending is quickly approaching!
Thanks again too for sharing this post on the Simply Sundays link up party! 🙂
Ana (@ANAWINSblog) says
I wish I could catch on to the buzz of Swagbucks but I’ve just not been able to!
Caroline says
I know, Ana. It’s hard to get into it and see the results. I have a follow-up post on how to make the most out of Swagbucks if you want to check it out!
Lindsey says
I just started using Sverve and Izea. Hoping that I can figure it out sooner rather than later.. haha! Visiting from Titus 2 Tuesday.
Runwright says
I found you via Tip Tuesday linkup and you have some really Great Ideas here. I’ve heard of swag bucks but I’m going to try it now.
I love love Amazon Prime too. I am a classic procrastinator and Amazon Prime has saved my skin often.
Caroline says
I hope Swagbucks works for you! And I’m the same way with Prime!
Wendy says
This article is full of great information and I’m definitely pinning it and reading it again! I always, ALWAYS forget about eBates. Thanks for entering this very helpful pin in #ThePinterestGame! Good luck and we hope to see you again next week!
~~Wendy, co-host #ThePinterestGame
Caroline says
Thanks, Wendy! I installed the browser app for Ebates and it helps me so much! I always forget to use it if I don’t have the app!
Charlene Asay says
These are all great ideas. Everyone could use some extra cash for Christmas.
Caroline says
Thanks, Charlene! I know I’d love more extra cash lying around at Christmas time!
Melanie Redd says
Thanks for all of the creative ways to save money for Christmas!
I came over today on Alder Collective, and I’m glad to find your post.
Hope you have a blessed day today~
Melanie
Caroline says
Thanks, Melanie!
Liz Jo says
Great tips!!! Just signed up for swag bucks but didn’t get the 100 oh well..
liz @ sundays with sophie
Caroline says
Hi Liz Jo! I emailed Swagbucks and they said they’ll credit your account. Let me know if it went through!
Kate says
So many good ideas! Thanks so much!
Caroline says
Thanks, Kate!
Catherine says
Thanks for the tips…and the reminder! Ha, I have been using swagbucks for quite a while. Love the free gift cards they give for doing what I already do, search for stuff. I haven’t seen any search points in a while, and after reading this reminded me of that. I recently upgraded my computer and it reset my browser settings. Now off to change them so it is set to always use swagbucks when I search. 🙂
Caroline says
That’s something I didn’t even add in my list! Thanks, Catherine!
Kayla says
LOVE Amazon, especially for trade-ins and Prime! I’ve earned a bit on ebates and it’s always fun to earn money for doing nothing out of the ordinary! Thanks for joining the Alder Collective this week–hope to see you again next week!
Caroline says
It’s so true, Kayla! It’s so much better to earn money for just clicking around online!
Alison [Life of Scoop] says
These are great ideas! I cannot believe Christmas is almost here & I’ve done no prep. Those words coming from a perfectionist/planner are a little anxiety provoking. 😉 Checking out swag bucks this afternoon!
Thanks for sharing this with the 100 Happy Days linkup! We love having you there. 🙂
Caroline says
I know, Alison! I can’t believe it either!
Jenn says
Awesome tips! thank you so much for sharing them!
Caroline says
Thanks for stopping by, Jenn!
Gail Akeman says
I don’t get many swagbucks takes a while for me.
Caroline says
Hi Gail! I did a post on how to make the most from your time on Swagbucks: https://www.carolinevencil.com/making-the-most-from-swagbucks/
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
Great ideas! I’m a huge fan of Ebates but my new love affair is with Ibotta! Make sure to check it out as you get cash back on purchases you make in store! While you do that, I’ll check out your Swagbucks post because I have it, signed up and haven’t used it too much because I do get really annoyed that it takes sooooo long…
Caroline says
I just got Ibotta over the weekend and I love it!
Frances Thompson says
Great tips! I’m a total bargain hunter and buy most of my purchases from eBay or in the sale. Just can’t quite bring myself to pay full price for anything! #fartglitter
Caroline says
I’m the same way, Frances! By the way, #fartglitter made me giggle! Love it!
Mama, My Kid Doesn't Poop Rainbows says
Totally need to check some of these out. I can’t believe Amazon delivered to you on the 24th. That’s impressive.
Thanks again for linking up to #fartglitter x