Podcast Summary: The Side Hustle Show Episode 639 – "30 Ways to Make Extra Money for the Holidays"

Host: Nick Loper
Guest: Allison Baggerly, Founder of Inspired Budget
Release Date: November 7, 2024
Podcast Description: The Side Hustle Show by Nick Loper offers actionable tips and creative ideas for entrepreneurs and side hustlers aiming to generate additional income both online and offline. This episode focuses on practical strategies to earn extra money during the holiday season, helping listeners navigate increased expenses without committing to long-term ventures.

Introduction

Nick Loper kicks off the episode by highlighting the financial strain the holidays can impose, noting that "the average American spends close to a thousand dollars on Christmas gifts" (00:01). To address this, he invites Allison Baggerly, an expert in budgeting and a successful side hustler turned full-time business owner, to discuss 30 practical ways to generate extra income during the festive season.

Guest Insights

Allison Baggerly emphasizes the appeal of temporary side hustles that require minimal commitment. She appreciates ideas that allow individuals to earn "once or twice, get some cash in the bank and spend money on what you want and then call it a day" (00:38). Allison, drawing from her experience with Inspired Budget, underscores the importance of balancing additional income streams with personal schedules and existing responsibilities.

Top Holiday Side Hustles Discussed

1. Paid Market Research

Nick introduces paid market research as a consistent side hustle that can yield "a few hundred dollars a year" (00:57). This includes participating in online focus groups or one-on-one interviews, often paying between $50 to $150 per hour. Platforms mentioned:

• Recruit and Field
• Maven
• Product Report Card
• User Interviews
• Respondent

Allison adds that this is ideal for those who prefer remote opportunities, highlighting its flexibility for busy individuals.

2. Christmas Light Installation

Allison shares a personal story where her husband was hired to install Christmas lights, earning a "couple hundred bucks" (04:03). This side hustle is perfect for those comfortable with ladders and outdoor work. Nick remarks on the seasonal demand, noting, "you have to cast your screener surveys out there and hopefully you get picked once or twice" (02:10).

3. Pet Sitting

Both hosts acknowledge the surge in pet sitting demand during the holidays due to increased travel. Allison appreciates its suitability for animal lovers who may not prefer interacting with people extensively. Platforms suggested:

• Rover.com
• Wag
• Meow Tell

Nick shares his experience of paying a friend to pet sit, highlighting it as a "significant" way to offset holiday expenses (05:24).

4. Tutoring

Allison, a former teacher, advocates for tutoring as a reliable side hustle. She illustrates with her personal arrangement of paying a tutor for her son's math lessons, earning consistent income that helps others without long-term commitments. Nick complements this by mentioning the high demand during report card season, with his brother managing "30 something students a week" (09:00).

5. Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses & Cash Back Maximization

Nick advises leveraging credit card sign-up bonuses responsibly, stating, "if you're going to spend $500, some cards will give you $200 cash back" (10:30). Allison echoes this sentiment, sharing her example of using Fetch Rewards and Rakuten to accumulate cash back for holiday purchases. She explains how their family utilizes scanned receipts to "get back for gift cards" (11:37).

6. Gift Wrapping Services

Both hosts discuss the potential of offering gift wrapping as a seasonal service. Allison reminisces about her teenage years offering wrapping services, while Nick highlights opportunities in corporate gifting and mobile gift wrapping, which can "take the pain away" from busy individuals (12:33).

7. Christmas Card Photography

Nick mentions his wife's success in offering family and wedding photography sessions tailored for Christmas cards, charging between $200 to $400 per session (17:11). Allison adds the idea of increasing this service by promoting it early, ensuring availability before the peak season.

8. Drive-By Grinching

A unique and playful idea discussed is hiring individuals to perform "drive-by Grinching," inspired by Ethan Heckler's successful venture. This involves dressing as the Grinch and interacting with households to add a festive touch, charging approximately $20 per encounter (17:34). Allison is enthusiastic about its potential as it offers a clear end date and minimal long-term commitment.

9. Corporate Event Entertainment

Nick shares insights from Brian McGovern, a magician/comedian who scaled his performances to demand high rates during peak seasons. Such entertainment services can greatly enhance corporate events, with rates increasing significantly during holiday seasons (18:14).

10. Christmas Tree Decorating Services

Allison highlights Amanda Ware's success in offering professional Christmas tree decorating, charging around $1,000 per tree. This niche service caters to households seeking elaborate decorations without the hassle, offering a lucrative seasonal opportunity (20:17).

11. Baking and Gourmet Food Sales

Both hosts recognize baking as a profitable holiday side hustle. From custom-decorated cookies to gourmet popcorn, individuals with a passion for baking can cater to parties and events. Allison mentions expanding offerings to include classes like cookie or wreath-making, enhancing revenue streams (22:51).

12. Gig Economy Shifts

Nick suggests picking up additional shifts through gig apps like Wonolo or Work Now, especially as businesses ramp up for the holidays. These roles offer hourly rates typically between $15 to $20, providing a straightforward way to earn extra cash (27:01).

13. Donating Plasma

Donating plasma is presented as a "relatively painless" method to earn between $20 to $50 per donation. With incentive programs offering bonuses for multiple donations, it can be a quick way to generate supplemental income (28:17).

14. Airbnb Hosting

Nick discusses utilizing Airbnb to rent out properties while traveling, turning empty homes into income-generating assets. This strategy not only offsets travel costs but also leverages the growing demand for local and authentic lodging experiences (29:11).

15. Delivery and Rideshare Services

Allison and Nick explore the options of driving for platforms like Instacart, Uber Eats, and Lyft. These services offer flexible hours and immediate earning potential, making them ideal for those seeking quick income during the hustle of holiday shopping (31:45).

16. Snow Removal

In regions where snow is prevalent, offering snow removal services can be highly profitable. Allison notes its suitability for winter climates, providing consistent demand as households seek help with early morning and extensive snow cleanups (32:35).

17. Mystery Shopping with Field Agent

Nick introduces Field Agent, an app that offers gigs like product display checks and mystery shopping. While individual tasks may pay modestly, they can accumulate when combined with regular errands, providing a supplementary income stream (33:18).

18. Residential Cleaning Services

Allison emphasizes the demand for deep cleaning services before holidays, especially for those hosting events. She cites examples of businesses scaling up to generate significant revenue by offering consistent and professional cleaning services (35:03).

19. Print-On-Demand Holiday Merchandise

Creating and selling custom holiday-themed merchandise through platforms like Amazon Merch or Redbubble can generate passive income. Designs ranging from matching family shirts to unique ornaments can attract a broad customer base (36:28).

20. Mobile Laundry Services

Offering laundry pickup and delivery services provides convenience to busy individuals, especially during the holiday season. Apps like Poplin facilitate this service, allowing side hustlers to earn money by handling customers' laundry needs efficiently (38:50).

21. Handmade Crafts and Gifts

Allison highlights the enduring appeal of handmade crafts on platforms like Etsy. Customized ornaments, hand-lettered items, and personalized gifts cater to buyers seeking unique and meaningful presents, offering a creative avenue for additional income (44:12).

22. Storage Rental via Neighbor.com

Nick suggests renting out extra storage space through platforms like Neighbor.com. This is particularly useful for storing holiday decorations or presents, providing temporary solutions for those needing extra space without committing to long-term storage units (43:21).

Notable Quotes

• Nick Loper (00:57): "This is one of my favorite formats because we're just going to throw out a bunch of different money-making ideas."

• Allison Baggerly (02:23): "I love the idea of presenting people with ways that you're not signing up for this full-time commitment for months and months on end."

• Nick Loper (10:30): "It's easy like free money type of thing and absolutely take advantage of that."

• Allison Baggerly (36:54): "You are providing that opportunity for people to have that consistent income, which I think is great, like within your community."

Conclusion

As the holiday season approaches, The Side Hustle Show Episode 639 equips listeners with a diverse array of side hustles tailored to generate extra income without requiring long-term commitments. From leveraging existing skills like tutoring and photography to exploring creative ventures such as drive-by Grinching and snow removal, Nick Loper and Allison Baggerly provide actionable insights to help mitigate holiday expenses. The episode underscores the importance of flexibility, creativity, and leveraging digital platforms to maximize earning potential during one of the most financially demanding times of the year.

Resources & Links:

• Inspired Budget: inspiredbudget.com
• Rover.com: rover.com
• Fetch Rewards: fetchrewards.com
• Rakuten: rakuten.com
• Neighbor.com: neighbor.com
• Field Agent: fieldagent.net
• Poplin Laundry: poplin.com

For more detailed information on each side hustle discussed, listeners are encouraged to visit the show notes or the respective websites mentioned during the episode.