Five Unusual Ways to Find Extra Money This Christmas
Announcement posted by The Gold Company 06 Dec 2013
It is both the most wonderful and most expensive time of year. When the silly season is filled with presents, trips away, fancy cocktails, and family, Christmas expenses can add up quickly. The demands on your wallet can unexpectedly decimate your savings and load up your credit card debt. So what can you do during the holiday period to make your finances go the extra mile? Here are my top five out-of-the-box ways to find extra money this Christmas - without the credit card.
1. Hold a garage sale.
No doubt the back of your garage is filled with old appliances, toys, and sports equipment that you used briefly but quickly forgot about. Turn your trash into another man’s treasure by holding a weekend garage sale in the lead up to Christmas. This will have the added benefit of a general household clean-up as you search for items. Leave your house looking spick and span for any holiday guests!
2. Become an Amazon Mechanical Turk.
The internet is the new marketplace, and you can capitalise on the growing industry by becoming a hired online hand. Amazon runs a service that matches employers looking for work done online to people - just like you! - who have the skills, time, and desire for a little extra cash. You bid for tasks that you would like to complete, and the employer will pay you through Amazon in cash. These tasks range from reviewing a movie to categorising images. Although the initial tasks you can complete are usually only paid small amounts, the more experienced you are, the more money you are able to earn.
3. Post unwanted home wares on Gumtree.
We’ve already suggested a garage sale, but sometimes you just don’t have the time to set aside a whole day to sell your old and unwanted items. That’s why it is helpful to know you can access the same value in your home wares by using the online community site Gumtree. It’s free to list a description and a few attractive pictures of your item, and soon you’ll have a flood of interest you can manage via email. Simple!
4. Sell your unwanted, out-of-date jewellery.
A decade ago gold was worth just US$400/oz, whereas today it's worth over US$1,200. If you have gold jewellery that you no longer like or want, selling it can be a great way to find extra finance during the Christmas period. Reputable gold buyers should value your gold obligation-free, and to make sure you’re receiving the highest price advantage, shop around with a few dealers to compare quotes. Find out more about what to look out for here.
5. Use your non-traditional assets for a personal asset loan.
Similar to selling gold, you may have other assets in your home that you have never considered could be sources of great financial value. Art, fine wine, classic cars, jewellery, watches, and luxury boats can all be used to gain a personal asset loan to help with your finances during the Christmas period. Industry experts value your asset according to market conditions, and you can access up to 80% of the worth of your item with little fuss and simple terms. Because the value of the loan is tied directly to the value of your item, you cannot enter the danger of spiralling debt associated with a credit card.
When finding extra money during the Christmas season, it is good to know you have options beyond credit card debt and spending all your savings! With a little creativity and elbow grease, you can find untapped value in your unwanted items and new ways of earning money.
About The Gold Company:
Michael and Roy started The Gold Company in 2008 when gold prices began to soar and Australia was in desperate need of a full-service gold company dedicated to giving everyday people financial solutions.
Partnering with the Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia, they combined their third-generation knowledge of gold and silver with world-class scientific knowledge of diamonds to bring Australians the highest level of service and consumer confidence in the industry.
Over time, our business has grown to include multiple channels for buying and selling gold, diamond, and silver, as well as investment opportunities in bullion for people who seek a more secure financial future. As our business evolves and we develop new ways to better help everyday Australians find financial solutions, we choose to remember one thing – it’s always about providing genuine value for our community.
We have been honoured to receive the following awards in recognition of our efforts:
- CSIA Service Excellence Awards, State Winner (NSW) 2010
- CSIA Service Excellence Awards, Highly Commended (National) 2010
- Australian Customer Service Awards, Gold Award for Service Excellence 2011
- ABA Australian Business Award for Service Excellence 2011