How to Make Extra Cash for the Upcoming Holiday Season

Do you get bored quickly during holiday breaks from school? Or do you need extra money to have fun with friends during your break? You might consider working at a temporary or part-time job over your break. Not only would you earn extra money for the holidays, but you would also be improving your resume.

Just keep in mind that it may be difficult for a young person to find a part-time job because adults may be competing with you for these jobs, due to the economy. However, there are alternatives for making extra cash without a regular job:

·      Pet sitting: Many people need someone to care for their pets while they are away on vacation. Holiday breaks are the perfect time to ask people you know if they need someone to care for their pets. And the rewards may be more than financial, as walking dogs is great exercise.

·      Babysitting: Babysitters are often in great demand during the holiday season. This can be a fun money-making opportunity if you enjoy kids. Of course, it is also a great responsibility; parents will expect you to take good care of their kids and not raid their refrigerator or turn their house into party central. Consider creating fliers to distribute in your neighborhood and to your parents’ friends to publicize your services.

·      Winter Labor: If you live in area that gets a lot of snow during the winter, consider shoveling snow off of people’s driveways and sidewalks. In fact, if your area gets snow until March, this could be a good job for the entire winter.

·      Sell your used electronics and gently worn clothing: If you have properly functioning electronics that you aren’t using, consider selling them online. Secure websites like uSell and Gazelle.com allow you to safely sell your smart phones, tablets, etc., online. If you have gently used clothing that you no longer wear or no longer fits you, consider selling it to consignment stores. If your item sells, then you might receive 50 percent of the selling price. Some stores might give you cash on the spot if your clothes are not outdated and are in good condition. You can might even sell your clothes online through sites such as thredUP.com or The RealReal.

READERS, what do you think?

1.     Have you ever looked for opportunities to make extra cash during your holiday break? If so, what did you do?

2.     Can you think of other ways to make money during your break that are not mentioned here? If so, what are they? How practical do you think they are?

References:

Flashman, R., & Stork-Hestad, N. (2011, December 5). KHSFPP Update # 258—Part-Time Jobs for the Holidays. Kentucky High School Financial Planning Program. Retrieved December 3, 2014, from http://www2.ca.uky.edu/hes/fcs/hsfp/updates/2011/update0258.htm.

Huddleston, C. (2014, November). 20 Ways to Earn Extra Cash for the 2014 Holidays. Kiplinger.com. Retrieved December 3, 2014, from http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/saving/T065-S001-20-ways-to-earn-extra-cash-for-the-2014-holidays/index.html.

How to Avoid Holiday Scams

 The holiday season is one of the biggest times of the year for scam artists and identity thieves. While most people are busy holiday shopping, criminals are busy scamming the unwary. Don’t let this happen to you. Learn about the various scams that occur every year, and what you can do to protect yourself this holiday season.

Do you remember the data breach affecting Target customers last year? Experts believe most companies have had such data breaches by now, so it may be safe to assume that bad guys already have some information that could be used against you. A good way to protect yourself from possible data breaches is to use cash. If you plan to do any holiday shopping online, experts recommend using a separate credit card with a small credit limit. With credit cards, you have a little time between purchase and paying your bill. If you get an unknown transaction during this period, you have a chance to dispute it.

Maybe you’re already aware of problems with opening spam e-mail. Scammers may send fake advertisements for store deals and fake notifications about package deliveries. Make sure not to open these e-mails, and be especially careful not to download any unknown attachments. It is important that you have strong passwords for your online shopping accounts, especially if you have provided credit card information for that account. Never click on links that offer free gifts. Those are most likely phishing scams.

When looking for great deals online, you may be safer with established retailers, though of course they all may be vulnerable to data breaches. Avoid online stores that you don’t know about because they could be trying to scam you. Of course, many smaller online retailers may provide excellent service, but you will do well to check them out before ordering from them. Be sure to search online (away from their Web site) for information about these stores; read reviews of their service to make sure it is safe and legitimate. Also, if you order online, request that your package be delivered to your Post Office box or your local UPS or FedEx store. Package theft occurs all the time.

Lastly, before donating to any charity, be sure to research the organization to make sure it is legitimate, and that enough of your money will go toward the actual cause. You can find information on any charity on www.charitynavigator.org.

READERS, what do you think?

1.     What are your thoughts about setting up a separate credit card for online shopping? Do you think it is a good idea, or a bad idea? And why?

2.     What about sticking to cash purchases? How do you think that could protect you from fraud? Do you see any drawbacks to using cash?

Reference:

Anand, P. (2014, November 27). 6 Holiday scams and how to protect yourself. Marketwatch.com. Retrieved December 1, 2014, from http://www.marketwatch.com/story/6-holiday-scams-and-how-to-protect-yourself-2014-11-26?page=1.

Having the Holiday Smarts

For many of us, Black Friday is the kick off to holiday shopping. On this day, stores will have door busters, sales, and (maybe) great deals on most items in the stores. It all has been planned to attract gift shopping. However, all this emphasis on spending leads many people to overspend. Those who do not budget their spending barely have any money for themselves and for their own needs. Or, if they splurge on themselves, they don’t have the money to buy presents for friends and family. So think ahead and learn a few ways to budget and save for the holidays.

Always plan your holiday budget before you start shopping! Make a list of everyone you plan on buying a present for. You might budget for one gift per person and mention on your list a possible gift you would like to get for each of them. When shopping, make sure you stick to your original budget because it can be very tempting to overspend!

If you have a credit card, check to see what your card benefits are. Some credit cards offer price protection, which might help if you bought something at one store, but later find it was less expensive somewhere else. Your card might cover the price difference of the item and give you a refund. All you have to do is file a claim within a certain period.

Your credit card might also offer holiday season rewards. A smart phone app called Wallaby can show you available rewards on your credit card.

Also be aware you do not have to buy gifts for everyone! An easy way to save on the holidays is to make gifts for people. Do a Google search or use Pinterest to find DIY holiday gift ideas. Making your gifts can be more personable than finding something on a store shelf.

Another option is to host a gift exchange during the holidays. Everyone draws a name out of a hat and the name you draw is the person you buy a gift for. This way you can buy something nice for one person, yet save money by shopping only for that one person. You could also create homemade “gift certificates” for friends and family. Examples of services you could offer include a month of babysitting, doing household chores for your parents, cooking someone a dinner, etc. Use your imagination and come up with something special that people will appreciate.

READERS, what do you think?

1.     Do you buy/make gifts for your friends and family this year? Do you make a budget ahead of time?

2.     Have you ever participated in a gift swap? Did you feel that it saved you money? Did people receive gifts they wanted that way? (It is important to give gifts that people will appreciate.)

3.     Would you make a personal gift certificate for someone? If so, what would you give?

Reference:

Steinberg, S. (2014, November 6). 15 Ways to avoid holiday debt: Spread the holiday cheer to your bank account this season. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved November 12, 2014, from http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/slideshows/15-ways-to-avoid-holiday-debt.