It’s mid-January and that means that most of us are struggling a little, financially. Maybe you’re not in real money trouble, at least we hope so, but chances are this last month or so hasn’t been a boost for your savings account. The end of the year means loads of presents to buy, bills to pay and insurances to renew. Meaning your bank account can be left somewhat empty. At the same time, however, you’re full of hope for the new year and you’d like to make a few plans – like going on that trip you’ve dreamed about for so long.
Sadly, no money and vacationing don’t go together that well. From your train tickets over your hotel to your evening meals, nothing comes for free. So how to get some extra money? How to make sure you’ll be able to afford that wholesome holiday? We came up with a few ingenious ways to make a little extra cash.
1. Sell stuff from your cupboards
The beginning of the year is a perfect moment to declutter your home. A fresh start, as it were. You probably got some presents over the holidays which can replace things you already had or maybe – let’s be honest now that nobody’s watching – some of the presents you got aren’t necessarily to your taste. When sorting everything, you could decide to make three piles: one to give to your friends, one for charity and one to sell. According to a survey carried out by eBay, twelve items in particular score very well on resell sites during the month of January.
- Bicycle
- Tablet
- Video Games Console
- Smart Watch
- Ping Pong Table
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Hair Dryer
- Car seat
- Pod & Capsule Coffee Machine
- Air bed
- Christmas Tree
- Juicer
2. Take care of a dog (or two)
If you’ve got a heart for pets, pet sitting or walking can be a great way to make a little extra cash. Moreover, those furry friends can be the perfect medicine for the January blues. Put out word to friends or put up some flyers in the neighborhood to let people know you’re up for the task. Once you get started, you’ll get new customers very easily.
3. Sublet your home
Of course, not all landlords are okay with this so if you’re renting a place, you better make sure they’re on board. But subletting your apartment or house when you’re on holiday or even simply when you’re spending the weekend with friends or family is a pretty convenient way to make a little extra money. Maybe you make use of Airbnb, maybe you just sublet your apartment to a friend who’s in town for the night but no matter how you decide to do it, those extra euros will come in handy when you’re away.
4. House sitting can be the way to go
When we’re looking for a place to stay, we tend to look at the most common options: hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels… But there are other possibilities out there that could be a great way to save money. If it’s something that’s interesting you, you can subscribe on house sitting websites. You might need to pay some subscription money but if you’re going to really get into it, house sitting can be a great way to stay in some pretty awesome locations on the cheap.
5. Don’t forget the discount codes
If you decide to go through the usual booking sites, please don’t forget to search for the best discount codes. Maybe you simply find them online, maybe you’ve got to subscribe to a newsletter or go directly to the website of the hotel you’re looking at. Same goes for restaurants, as they often offer discounts for those who go through certain booking applications. In short: if you look well, you rarely have got to pay the full price. One last tip for city trippers, city cards are often an interesting and cheap way to see as many museums and visit as many attractions as possible.
