IF chocolate coins are the only money in your pocket, now is the time to turn the Christmas tables.
This time of year is actually the best for bringing in some extra cash.
Whether you pick up a seasonal job or sell your stuff to make extra dosh, you can soon have some real coins to jangle along to Jingle Bells.
GET A CRACKING CHRISTMAS JOB
IT’S the busiest time of year for many businesses, and most still have jobs to fill.
From post sorters to pub workers, there’s plenty of pay on offer at this time of year.
Check out jobs.royalmailgroup.com to get paid for sorting seasonal mail, or type “Christmas” into job sites such as uk.indeed.com and reed.co.uk.
Among the festive gigs on offer now is delivering Christmas trees, paying £12 an hour, and working at an ice rink, paying £11 an hour.
There’s huge demand for chefs, shop workers and waiting staff, too.
You can also ask at pubs, stores and restaurants on your high street, meaning your Christmas wish for wonga could soon come true.
A job paying £10 an hour could net you £400 if you do 20 hours between now and Christmas.
If you can’t commit to set hours, you can still earn extra dosh.
Post on local Facebook groups, offering to ease people’s festivestress.
Babysitters and dog walkers are always in high demand.
At this time of year, you can also offer to take in or collect other people’s parcels.
You could also set up a side-hustle, posting your skills on sites such as peopleperhour.com or fiverr.com.
SELL YOUR STUFF
YULE soon be quids in if you sell some of your spare gear.
This is the time to cash in for Christmas, offloading everything from old frocks to phones.
It’s the perfect time to sell off party dresses, shoes and accessories on sites such as Depop or Vinted.
You can sell old mobile phones at MusicMagpie, Sell My Mobile or Mazuma Mobile. Books, CDs and DVDs can be exchanged for cash on Ziffit or WeBuyBooks, which claims people make an average of £28.20 selling through its site and app.
Magic up some money and some space by selling big-ticket items, such as old tech or furniture on local Facebook groups or through the site’s Marketplace.
You can try to flog almost anything. Even old cables and instruction booklets are wanted by eBay buyers.
For instant cash, selling your unwanted things at a local car boot sale could help boost your coffers.
MONEY FOR NOTHING
IF a bit of extra cash is on your Christmas wishlist, a little financial know-how could make your dreams come true.
Use cashback sites to get money back on your festive shopping, from food to gifts.
You can currently get between 18 and 24 per cent back by shopping with buya gift.com through Top Cashback.
If you need to put some elastic in your budget to get you through the next few months, check your store loyalty cards to see if you’ve built up any credit.
Find out when your broadband or phone subscription ends and get ready to switch to a cheaper deal.
You could save a packet with one phone call.
Swapping your bank account could also give you a boost, though you may have to wait until the new year.
HSBC is offering new current account customers £200, while £175 is on offer from First Direct — both for customers who meet certain deposit conditions.
Another way to make some easy cash is to refer a friend to companies you already use.
So, if you’re happy with your bank, energy firm or broadband provider, it’s worth looking to see if they will pay you a bonus if a friend signs up to their service.
Utility Warehouse will take £50 off your energy bill every time you introduce a friend — and you can do it as many times as you like.
It all takes a little effort but could add up to the Christmas gift you’ve been hoping for.