What are you planning to do on Black Friday? Will you wake up at 4 a.m. to fight your way through crowds? Stand in line for hours only to discover that this year’s hottest toys are sold out?
That doesn’t exactly sound like fun. And no, leaving Thanksgiving dinner to visit the mall on Thursday night isn’t the answer, either.
Instead of battling the crowds as suggested by this tongue-in-cheek post, put your time to better use. Erin Burt shared 10 great ideas for Black Friday on Kiplinger, which inspired me to add to her list.
Here are 12 more smart strategies to make the most of your time on Black Friday — and most will leave you with extra money in your pocket.
1. Sign Up for Free Money
Yes, you read that right. Take advantage of bank account promotions to earn free money from several banks. While chasing sign-up bonuses isn’t always worth your time, these ones could earn you a pretty penny:
Chase
Go to this Chase Total Checking page and enter your email to get a coupon. Take this coupon to a Chase branch and use it to open a Total Checking account. Set up direct deposit, and you’ll get a $200 bonus!
You’ll need to use the coupon by Jan. 18, 2018, and set up direct deposit within 60 days of opening your account.
TD Bank
You’ve got two options here:
1. Open a new Premier Checking Account by visiting this page and entering your city and state (this account isn’t available in every state). Click the “open account” button and follow the instructions. (You have to open the account online through this page to get the bonus.)
Set up direct deposits of $2,500 or more within 60 days of opening the account, and you’ll get a $300 bonus. If you keep at least $2,500 in the account, TD Bank will waive the $25 monthly fee.
2. Open a new Convenience Checking account and get a $150 bonus. Scroll down to the “online offer only” box, click the “open account” button and follow the instructions. (If you don’t see an online offer box, the account’s not available in your state.)
Set up direct deposits to add $500 or more to the account within 60 days, and you’ll get a $150 bonus. If you keep a daily balance of $100 in the account, TD Bank will waive the $15 monthly fee.
2. Sell Your Stuff
Instead of going out and waiting in line to buy new stuff, why not make some money off the stuff you already have.
Start shuffling through your old movies or CDs because Decluttr will pay you for them.
Decluttr buys your old CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays and video games, plus hardware like cell phones, tablets, game consoles and iPods.
One user, Gil Flores, sold about 100 DVDs and 75 CDs and made $275 — an average of $1.57 each.
Just download the app, and start scanning the barcodes on your media to get immediate quotes. It’s completely free to use: There are no listing or seller fees.
Payment is pretty fast — it’ll take a day or two — but shipping is free.
Right now, when you send in your trades, Decluttr grants you a $5 bonus when you enter BLACK5 at checkout.
3. Find a Seasonal Job
While many people think it’s too late, there’s still time to pick up a seasonal job for the holidays. Some businesses will have finished their hiring already, but you might luck out — especially if you hustle early this week.
Try Snagajob, which specializes in hourly work, as well as good old-fashioned walk-ins — though you probably don’t want to try those on Black Friday itself.
4. Get Your Kids a Job
No, not at the mall. Signing your kids up to be toy testers is a fun way to help Santa save a little cash on presents.
Companies like Fisher-Price and Step 2 need feedback on new toys, such as whether they’re engaging and how they hold up to the wear and tear of playing, and the best people to share their feedback are kids and their parents.
Curious? Learn more about how to land toy-testing jobs in this post.
5. Strengthen Your Online Presence
Your social media accounts are great for sharing your professional accomplishments, your comments on polarizing issues or your photo of that amazing steak you grilled last night.
But did you know your posts can also earn you free stuff — and put cash in your pocket?
Spend a few hours beefing up your Facebook profile, Twitter stream, LinkedIn network and other channels, and you could create new opportunities for yourself.
To learn more about Facebook and Twitter contests and earning opportunities, check out this post. And all of your sharing and tweeting helps build “influence,” which Klout measures and rewards with free Perks.
Bonus? Your new, improved social media presence could also help you and your kids land those coveted toy-testing jobs.
6. Plan a New Small Business
Whether you’re ready to hit the ground running or you’re researching your options for the new year, start planning a way to earn money on the side. Figure out a way your skills and experience could help people, and then capitalize on it.
Good with words? Try making money as a writer. Work in tech? Do a little freelance web development.
Love dogs? Think about leading dog adventures or planning pet parties. Handy with tools? Consider building catios (yes, they’re a thing) or repair and resell used appliances.
Need a few more ideas? Try some of these low-cost business options. Here’s what you’ll need to know to set up your business.
7. Get Creative
Let your inner artist run wild while everyone else is still in their turkey coma. Create something cool, like jewelry, walking sticks or other crafts, that you can give to friends and family for the holidays.
My biggest hit last year was a wine-tasting kit: I simply sewed four bottle-shaped fabric covers and painted a number on each, to make it more fun to blind taste-test different bottles.
Want to earn some cash with your crafts? Consider setting up shop on Etsy or another online marketplace.
8. Write an Ebook
Have you been talking about writing a book forever? Put your money where your mouth is and write it already.
Not sure what to write about? Steve Scott, who has published more than 60 Kindle ebooks, recommends picking a niche market and then offering value by solving a problem for readers.
Once you’re ready to share your work with the world, here’s how to self-publish it online.
9. Go for a Walk or Hit the Gym
While you might not feel like being active after stuffing yourself with turkey (and stuffing), perhaps a little financial incentive would motivate you to get off the couch. What if you could earn money for your workout — or even a walk around the block?
That’s right, these sites and apps will pay you to exercise:
- Pact (formerly Gympact): Set a goal for your workouts, including hitting the gym, visiting a yoga studio or walking outside, and earn cash by sticking to your pact.
- Diet Bet: Bet on yourself losing a certain amount of weight in a given time period, and earn up to $100 if you’re successful.
- Healthy Wage: Similar to Diet Bet, but competing with a team could earn you payouts up to $10,000.
10. Sell Your Blood Plasma
It takes about two hours and yes, it involves a needle, but selling your plasma could earn you about $25 for your first visit. The process is simple, and you’re free to read or watch TV while a machine draws your blood and separates the plasma.
Interested? Search “plasma center + [your city]” for options, and ask your friends for referrals — many centers offer referral sign-up bonuses.
If you prefer just to donate blood — which the American Red Cross says is especially necessary between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day — look for a blood drive near you on its website or download its Blood App.
11. Plan to Give to Charity
If you’re going to make any charitable donations, you’ll want to make them before the end of the year so you can deduct them on your 2016 taxes.
Make sure to read the the IRS guidelines first — you’re only allowed to deduct donations to qualified organizations, not individuals or political campaigns, and donations of property or goods are treated differently than cash.
12. Shop Online, Strategically
If you really need to get started on your holiday shopping, do it from the comfort of your own home and use these tricks to save extra cash and earn rewards.
For example, signing up for Ebates earns you cash back on purchases you’re going to make anyway — like 8% on TOMS shoes, 8% on Backcountry.com and 8% at Saks Fifth Avenue.
And when you buy your gifts, always use your rewards credit card to earn cash back or travel points. Your holiday gifts might as well give you something in return!
BONUS: Spend Time With Family and Friends
OK, so this option won’t earn you any extra money.
But whether you’re traveling for Thanksgiving or enjoying a day off at home, take a little time to relax this week. After all, what’s the use in earning cash and rewards if you never enjoy them?
*Chase Fine print:
Checking offer is not available to existing Chase checking customers, those with fiduciary accounts, or those whose accounts have been closed within 90 days or closed with a negative balance. To receive the $150 checking bonus: 1) Open a new Chase Total Checking account, which is subject to approval; 2) Deposit $25 or more at account opening; AND 3) Have your direct deposit made to this account within 60 days of account opening. Your direct deposit needs to be an electronic deposit of your paycheck, pension or government benefits (such as Social Security) from your employer or the government. After you have completed all the above requirements, we’ll deposit the bonus in your new account within 10 business days. You can only receive one new checking account-related bonus per calendar year. Bonus is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT.
**Account Closing: If your checking account is closed within six months after opening, we will deduct the bonus amount at closing.
Editorial Disclosure
This content is not provided by the bank advertiser. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of the bank advertiser. This site may be compensated through the bank advertiser Affiliate Program.
Heather van der Hoop is senior editor of The Penny Hoarder. When she’s not reading, you can usually find her playing along with Jeopardy! or climbing rocks, mountains and trees.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
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