Today in the 7 Ways to Pile Up Christmas Money, let’s talk about earning money by taking odd jobs. We are talking about jobs that are typically a one-time only deal or fairly infrequent.
Getting a part time job to cover presents is also a great idea, but not always a reality for many of us with a tight schedule or young children to care for. (Or both.)
Save your Christmas budget with these tips for finding cheap or free gift cards (plus how you can use them to save more money!).
Last time in the 7 Ways to Pile Up Christmas Money series, we talked about making a list (and checking it twice!).
So now you have a good plan started for saving lots of money this Christmas season.
Now, if you tally up your total budget for Christmas presents and your eyes pop out of your head like an old Bugs Bunny cartoon…
Well, that’s ok!
Now you see why we are planning ahead!
Because you were so smart with that planning, we have time to get a little creative with that budget. Here’s how…
Today’s guest post is by Emily Jividen from John & Jane Doe Guide to Money & Investing.
Most of us have things we need to get rid of or no longer use. You have a few options: keep, give away, discard or sell.
I want to talk about selling your stuff, particularly selling your unwanted items to a reseller. Secondhand shops and consignment stores can be a good way of unloading your extras for cash or turning them in for trade for things you do want.
Selling items yourself has one big advantage over selling to a reseller: You cut out the middleman. Secondhand shops and consignment stores need to make a profit to stay in operation, so you won’t get the full amount that the end customer is going to pay. You’ll usually get a substantially lower price. So why sell to a reseller?
This is the first day in the 7 Ways to Pile Up Christmas Money Series.
Today let’s talk about something I mention often, because it is my number one tip for saving money. Plan ahead.
[Tweet “The number one way to save #money in almost any situation is to plan ahead. Here’s how.”]
If you struggle each year to find gift money, don’t wait for Christmas to sneak up on you again. Try these 7 ways to fill your Christmas savings account.
Christmas money? Now? Why should I worry about Christmas money in the middle of summer or early fall? I have bigger fish to fry.
Well, you should worry about it. Because it’s coming, friends.
Many of us treat Christmas purchases like unexpected expenses. December comes along, and we find ourselves putting gifts on a credit card. After all, we want to get gifts for loved ones and we can’t find another way to do it. We’ll just pay the bills later.
It’s a habit that never ends well. Honestly, I’ve even done it myself a time or two. (That’s just another reason why we had to learn how to get out of debt.)
But there’s another way.
Late July in our house means it’s time to get ready for our county fair. It’s a busy time, and that requires simple meals.
During the fair, we will end up eating out of the back of our van quite a bit. We do a lot of PB&J sandwiches.
We will also likely eat at the fair at least one meal. (My kids show animals all day long on Monday!)
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I'm Jamie, and I want to help you afford a beautiful life with your family. Learn more. 
