For many of us, September marks the end of summer relaxation and a return to the hustle and bustle of the Fall season. There are back-to-school festivities and the holidays are quickly approaching.
All of that, coupled with summer expenses you may still be paying for (like vacation and travel) can leave you feeling a bit spent. Luckily, there are things you can do this fall to make more money from now until the end of the year.
Here's a month by month guide to making more money this fall.
September: Work as a House Sitter
In September, many people are leaving town for Labor Day or taking last-minute vacations (and enjoying the final moments of summer!). This is a great time to work as a house sitter. As a house sitter, you get to enjoy a new environment and make some extra money -- it's an easy and fun way to make some extra cash.
You can find gigs on Craigslist. You can also post something on Facebook letting your friends know you're available.
October: Work as a Babysitter
Halloween is a hallmark of October. While you may immediately think it's a holiday for kids, there are plenty of adults that go to holiday parties -- sans kids. You can work as a babysitter during this time, so that busy parents can also enjoy some of the Halloween fun. On holidays or late nights, you can even charge more.
To look for gigs, check out Craigslist, Care.com, and SitterCity. Don't forget to mention to your friends and colleagues that you are available. Sometimes simply asking your network can warrant the best results.
November: Work as a Pet Sitter
A few years ago, I got one of the best gigs ever. I was living in Brooklyn with four roommates and had very little space to myself. For the Thanksgiving holiday, I got a pet sitting job taking care of an adorable cat -- and a studio apartment to myself. It was like I hit the jackpot!
If you're a pet lover, being a pet sitter is a great way to make money in November. Many people are leaving town to go visit their families, so if you are staying local, cash in and help someone out. It's a win-win situation. You can find gigs on Craigslist, DogVacay or Rover.
December: Work as a Brand Ambassador
I've worked as a brand ambassador for the past four years and I love it. It's a great way to make extra money and you work on your terms, when you are available. A brand ambassador is someone that represents a brand, or a company at a public event like a concert or sporting event. You've likely seen brand ambassadors at any major event giving away free stuff, or even on a street team in and around the city.
Brand ambassadors typically get paid between $15 - $20 per hour. During the month of December, brands are looking to elevate their sales, so they want people out in the field and in stores to connect with consumers.
A few years ago I worked a promotion where we gave out Ghirardelli chocolates and walked around the city with Christmas carolers. It was a fun, easy job. Look for gigs on Craigslist or EventSpeak.
Get Started
The fall, in my opinion, is one of the best times to make extra money. For the past few years I've worked as a holiday party helper, brand ambassador, pet sitter, and house sitter, and made over $2,000 on the side.
In the fall, people are busy and on the move, so if you have some free time you can help others and make some extra money to put towards your savings or debt. You can also use that money to help you pay for the holidays, without going into debt.
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Melanie Lockert, the author of this piece for GoGirl Finance, blogs about breaking up with debt at DearDebt.com.