With Halloween behind us, the holiday season is fast approaching. As Black Friday and Cyber Monday loom, it’s easy to feel the financial pressure of Christmas shopping. If you haven’t set aside a budget for the festivities yet, don’t worry. Thanks to modern technology, there are plenty of ways to earn extra cash quickly.
1. Take Online Surveys
I often get asked about online surveys: how much can you really make, and are they worth your time? Well, I’ve tested a few platforms like Survey Junkie, Opinion Outpost, Swagbucks, Nielsen, and One Opinion to find out.
The first thing I noticed is that you need to provide a lot of personal information—things like your name, age, location, and household income. Survey companies use this data to match you with relevant surveys. However, there’s a catch: after answering a lot of questions, you might not qualify for every survey. This can be frustrating since you only get paid for completed surveys.
In terms of pay, I found that you can earn around $2 per hour on average. One survey took me over 20 minutes to complete, and I earned less than $1 for my effort. Also, you need to pay attention since survey companies include random questions to ensure you’re fully engaged.
2. Review Music on SlicethePie
If you love music, SlicethePie offers a fun way to earn a little extra cash by reviewing songs. After listening to the first 90 seconds of a track, you’re required to provide a short review. The process takes about 3 minutes, and you can earn 1 cent per review.
While the pay is low, SlicethePie offers longer surveys that pay up to 7 cents each. The more thorough your reviews, the more you can potentially earn. Once you’ve accumulated enough, you can cash out via PayPal.
3. Offer Services on Fiverr and Upwork
For those with specific skills, platforms like Fiverr and Upwork offer great opportunities to make real money. Whether it’s proofreading, voice acting, transcription, or virtual assistant work, there’s a demand for a variety of services.
For example, I found guitar teachers on Fiverr charging as much as $130 per hour, and notary publics charging $25 per document. Make sure you have any necessary certifications or licenses, especially if you plan to offer services across multiple states.
4. Pause Your Streaming Subscriptions
If you’re looking to save money quickly, consider pausing some of your streaming services for the holiday season. Many streaming platforms cost between $15 and $20 per month. By suspending a few services for just a couple of months, you can save a decent amount—money you can redirect toward gifts or holiday festivities.
Conclusion
Whether you’re completing surveys, reviewing music, or offering services online, there are numerous ways to make extra money for the holidays. The amount you save or earn depends on how aggressive you are, but every little bit adds up.
By exploring these options, you can make your Christmas 2023 a little easier on your wallet.
