WE might have just said goodbye to summer, but Christmas will be upon us faster than you can blink.
And whilst it’s the most wonderful time of the year, it’s also the most expensive.
So whether it’s for gifts, parties, or just easing the financial strain of the festive season, having some extra income around Christmas never hurts.
David Mantle, CEO of Stashbee, has shared some clever and easy ways to earn some extra cash before December even rolls around!
Most of us have stuff lying around that we no longer need or use so why not have a declutter and sell those items online?
Not only will you appreciate the extra space, but sites like Vinted, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace make it easy to turn your unwanted things into Christmas cash, meaning you could easily earn up to £100 per month – which is an extra £300 for the festive budget.
David’s top tips? “When it comes to selling items on platforms like Vinted, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay, certain categories tend to perform particularly well over others.
“Designer or higher-end gear will always sell well, as long as they’re in good condition, and hot fashion pieces from the likes of Zara or Nobody’s Child are sure to bring in a few pennies if you happen to have pieces fashionistas are coveting.
“Baby and children’s clothes and toys also go down well with parents looking to save a few quid, especially if you offer bundles of clothing or toys by age.
“School uniforms are also big sellers at this time of year, but you will always have interest from parents looking to save a bit of money after unexpected growth spu
“As we approach the colder months, winter clothing such as coats, boots, and knitwear, will be in greater demand as people scramble to get warm before temperatures drop.
“Toys and gadgets make great gifts, so now is an excellent time to sell outgrown or unused items as you get closer to Christmas.
“Electronics such as phones, tablets, and gaming consoles are particularly good for fetching a good price, especially if you can include all the cables or boxes.
“They also often have a higher effort-to-reward ratio than flogging your old wardrobe, which can take a long time without much payoff.
“Take a Playstation for example, if you paid £400 you’re likely to get at least £200 back, while a £50 shirt might only make you a tenner if it’s a good brand.”
One of the easiest ways to make money is by renting out unused space you probably didn’t even think had value, such as your empty driveway or garage.
With parking at a premium in many UK towns and cities, renting out these spaces can generate a tidy sum each month, earning between £110 to £480 a month depending on the location.
That means you could earn up to a whopping £1440 before December rolls around.
David said: “It’s a win-win. You get passive income, and someone else gets the convenience of secure parking or storage.”
David’s top tip? Screen your renters.
“Thankfully, most rental platforms like Stashbee offer identity verification built into their service, giving you peace of mind that who you’re renting to is actually a real person!
“This process usually involves verifying the renter’s identity by asking for a government-issued ID such as a passport or driver’s licence, and their payment details.
“This saves you the effort of having to try to verify their identity yourself, which can prove tricky if you aren’t a security expert!
“If you want some extra security, have a chat with the potential renters to get a sense of their character, the type of items they plan to store, and how often they might need access. This can help you establish some ground rules, such as what is or isn’t okay to store, and what the rules are for access.
“For example, accessing your driveway to get their car every day might be okay, but they need to organise a time to come and look at their stuff if they’ve rented your garage, shed or spare room.
“I recommend asking that only the verified renter come to your home and any other guests (such as people who might be helping move their items in) are always accompanied by you or the renter.”
Got a fancy camera, bicycle, or sports equipment sitting idle in your attic or garage?
Renting out high-value items you don’t use daily is a great way to earn money with minimal effort.
Websites like Fat Llama allow you to list items such as photography gear, musical instruments, and camping equipment for others to rent when they need it.
Depending on what and how many items you rent, you could earn anywhere between £342 and £848 a month, or up to £2544 before Christmas.
David added: “It’s surprising how much demand there is for short-term use of these types of items, so If you’ve invested in good-quality gear, why not let it earn some of that money back for you?”
David’s top tip? “Rental platforms will generally offer built-in coverage to cover up to £25,000 for theft or damage, giving you some peace of mind that your items are in safe hands.
“However, make sure to read the terms carefully to understand what’s covered and any conditions that apply.
“Often this will cover damage from improper use, so if you’re concerned someone might use your camera wrong, pop in some easy how-to guides and tips so they have no excuse to mess up!”
Altogether, this means you could make up to £5,403 to add to your festive funds, all without needing to put in tonnes of effort!
Stashbee is a trusted platform that connects people in need of storage or parking with those who have space to spare. With transparent pricing, verified listings, and flexible options, Stashbee offers a secure and convenient way to find affordable storage units or parking spaces across the UK.
