Christmas can put a strain on your wallet when the cost of living is already high – but there are ways to get free cash with little effort. With energy bills and the cost of essentials still stubbornly high, you may find it difficult to balance your budget. To help, we've rounded up easy ways to add more to your Christmas fund before December 25 without lifting a finger.
1. Switch your bank account – up to £200
You could get up to £200 in free cash just by switching to a new bank account. Nationwide is paying new customers £200 to switch current accounts and the cash should be paid out before Christmas. To get the bonus, go on Nationwide's website, or use its app, switch from a non-Nationwide current account to a FlexDirect account and have two direct debits set up. The cash will be paid within ten days.
2. Complete online surveys – up to £200
With sites such as Swagbucks, Toluna, and i-Say, you can start earning cash with just a few clicks. Surveys will be distributed to you depending on who you are, where you live, and what you're into. Typically, they will take between 10 and 15 minutes to complete. If you qualify for surveys and check-in regularly, you could make around £5 an hour. By that reckoning, you could get close to earning £100 a month and with just over two months until Christmas that could double.
3. Referral bonuses – £50
"Refer a friend" schemes are where you refer a pal to buy a service and you both get a cash bonus or freebies if they sign up. The rewards can make you a tidy sum and are available on everything from broadband and banking to food and fashion. One woman previously revealed that she made £600 a year just from referrals – £50 a month.
4. Cashback offers – £100s
Cashback websites give you money back when you spend online, meaning it's a handy tool for spending you're doing anyway. TopCashback and Quidco are two of the most popular and could earn you hundreds. When you're shopping, make sure you click through the websites to get some extra cash. Both have widgets you can download so you never forget. They are free to use but there are plus memberships which cost £5 a year and can give you a higher rate of cashback.
5. Get paid to watch TV – £140
If you enjoy watching TV then this could be a great way for you to fill your pockets. Theviewers.co.uk puts together research panels for broadcasters and programme makers so that they can get feedback on TV programmes before they hit the box. You can either attend face-to-face research groups, fill in surveys online or do both. It is free to register and it is up to you whether you'd like to take part in anything on offer. You can earn between £40 and £70 for a discussion group and it's usually cash in hand.
6. Rent out your things and space – up to £200
Anyone with items and space they don't always need may want to consider renting them out. For example, this could be a driveway or parking space, as well as items in your home. Tarek Fergani told HOAR he made £400 from renting out his parking spot in Southsea, near Portsmouth. It took Tarek four months to earn £400 so with just over two months to go until Christmas you could be looking at earning £200.
7. Check your winter fuel payment – up to £600
Millions of households are eligible for a £600 payment direct to their bank accounts this winter. Those who qualify for the winter fuel payment will automatically become eligible for a £300 top-up. It is separate from the £900 cost of living payment for those on Universal Credit and other legacy benefits. The winter fuel payment is usually worth between £100 and £300 for those over state pension age.
8. Check if you have a 'lost' bank account – £2,100
Teenagers may be sitting on money in so-called Child Trust Funds (CTF) without knowing. Families are urged to check if they have one of these accounts, which is worth up to £2,100 on average. CTFs are a type of savings account that used to be available for children. All of these children automatically received a £250 voucher and lower-income families got £500.
Did you miss our previous article…
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