Smart Ways to Earn Extra Cash Before Black Friday
Black Friday and Cyber Monday always hit fast—and every year, I tell myself I’ll be more prepared. Instead of relying on my savings or stressing about money, I’ve learned a handful of smart ways to earn extra cash fast for Black Friday deals.
And honestly? These strategies actually work. Whether you want a little extra for gifts or you’re planning a big BFCM shopping list, you can pick a couple of these and start earning within days.
Below are the exact things I do, why they work, and who they’re best for.
1. The Best Side Hustles to Make Money Before Black Friday
If you're short on time (like me), these are the best side hustles to make money before Black Friday—quick to start and surprisingly profitable.
Paid Microtasks for Moms & Busy Professionals Who Need At-Home Income
I love microtasking because I can literally do it while watching Netflix. Sites like Amazon MTurk, Clickworker, Appen, and RemoTasks let you do:
data labeling
short content checks
rating AI responses
image tagging
How much I make: $30–$120/week depending on time.
Perfect if you want to earn quietly without leaving home.
Delivery & Gig Apps for Students or Anyone With a Free Weekend
If you’ve got a bike, scooter, or car, apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, Deliveroo, or Lalamove can make you fast cash.
Why I like it: You earn daily, and during November, demand spikes because everyone orders more food.
Sell Unused Items for Minimalists and Declutter Lovers
I’ve made hundreds just selling old gadgets, shoes, and accessories on:
Facebook Marketplace
Mercari
Carousell
eBay
If you have 10 items lying around the house, you’re literally sitting on Black Friday money.
2. Use Legit Cashback Apps for Holiday Shopping Savings
I always stack cashback savings before BFCM because this is free money most shoppers forget about. The following tools are truly legit cashback apps for holiday shopping savings.
Rakuten to Save Money for Heavy Shoppers
Rakuten gives real cashback (often 5%–10%, sometimes 20% during BFCM). I turn it on and forget about it—my last payout was $58.
Best for: Anyone who shops online regularly or plans to buy big-ticket items.
Capital One Shopping for Deal-Hunters Who Love Automatic Coupons
This extension automatically tries every coupon code at checkout. I once saved $35 on a single purchase without doing anything.
Best for: Busy shoppers who want instant savings without researching promos.
Honey for People Who Shop Across Multiple Sites
Honey's price tracking tool is surprisingly good during November. I use it to watch price drops on items I want before BFCM. Best for: People who want price alerts + cashback + coupon codes in one place.
Fetch for Families & Grocery Shoppers
You just scan receipts. That’s it. I redeem points for Amazon gift cards every month. Best for: People who buy groceries or household items often.
3. Sell Seasonal Skills for Extra Cash Before Black Friday
These little "creative hustles" helped me earn way more than I expected right before the holidays.
Gift-Wrapping Services for Students or Part-Timers
People hate wrapping gifts.
I charged $3–$6 per item and got more requests than I expected.
AI-Powered Photo Editing for Families Who Need Holiday Photos
With tools like Remini, Canva, and AI retouching, you can offer:
family portrait cleaning
object removal
lighting fixes
You can charge $10–$30 per job.
Designing Holiday Cards for Creative People
Selling custom Christmas or New Year card designs on Etsy brings seasonal income.
Some sellers make $300–$2,000 in November alone.
Selling Printables for Side Hustlers Who Prefer Passive Income
Holiday planners, gift tags, budget sheets… Once you upload a printable, it sells every year.
Best for: Creative people who want low-maintenance income.
4. Monetize Your Points, Rewards & Gift Cards
This is one of the easiest ways to unlock money fast without actually doing any work. High-value advertisers love this topic (banks, credit cards, fintech apps)—and it’s truly useful.
Credit Card Points for Travelers Who Want Free Cash
Before BFCM, I redeem points into:
Amazon credit
Bank statement credits
Gift cards
Some banks even raise redemption bonuses during November.
Unused Gift Cards for People With Old Cards Lying Around
Sell or trade old gift cards using sites like:
CardCash
Raise
GameFlip
I turned old cards into $90 cash last year.
Signup Bonuses for People Who Want Fast, Easy Money
Fintech apps, banks, and investment platforms sometimes give:
$10
$20
even $100 sign-up rewards
If you’re opening an account anyway, you might as well take the bonus.
5. Take Small Online Gigs to Make Quick Cash Between Now and BFCM
These are great if you only have 30 minutes whenever you're free.
Surveys & User Testing for People Who Like Simple Tasks
Websites like:
UserTesting
Prolific
Toluna
Respondent pay for your feedback.
Earnings: $5–$60 per test depending on complexity.
AI Chat Training Tasks for Tech-Curious Side Hustlers
Companies hire people to help label or rate AI-generated answers (yes, really).
Many pay weekly. Great for: People who enjoy typing or reviewing content.
Online Tutoring for Students or Language Speakers
Teaching math, languages, or basic homework help can earn $15–$35/hr on:
Cambly
Preply
Tutor.com
Perfect if you enjoy sharing knowledge.
Conclusion: You Can Start Earning Today
All of these are smart ways to earn extra cash fast for Black Friday deals, and you don’t need to pick all of them. Choose 1–2 that fit your lifestyle:
Something at home (microtasks)
Something automated (cashback apps)
Something creative (seasonal skills)
Something instant (sell stuff or redeem points)
Even $50, $100, or $300 of extra cash makes a huge difference when BFCM rolls in. And trust me—you’ll thank yourself when the deals drop.
Hi, I'm Chelsea Parker, a globetrotter, storyteller, and life enthusiast with a knack for turning everyday experiences into unforgettable lessons. From surviving $20-a-day adventures in Southeast Asia to mastering mindfulness in my daily routine, I share relatable and entertaining tales that inspire you all to explore, grow, and thrive. When i'm not writing, you may find me chasing sunsets, savoring street food, or dreaming up my next big adventure.
