Four Tips for Finding Some Extra Money for Summer

Everybody knows vacations do wonders for your mental and emotional health, but did you realize they can be beneficial for your physical health as well? According to a medical research study, regularly taking time off from work can reduce a person's risk of heart disease, ease signs of depression, decrease blood pressure, and boost productivity after returning to work.

Wouldn't it be nice to find some extra cash to pay for meals or souvenirs? Here are four tips for possibly finding some extra spending money for your summer break.

Four Tips

1. It seems hard to believe, but a lot of us have change jars we throw money into regularly, even secondary accounts where money may sit untouched. If you haven't checked these sources recently, you may be shocked at just how much you've collected. It may not be enough to fund the entire getaway, but covering a meal or two sure helps!
2. Don't forget to double-check the mobile payment apps on your phone. Have you sold items online in the past? If you've used PayPal or Venmo to exchange money with family or friends, there may be a few dollars just sitting in your account. It only takes a minute to check those apps. So, if you find any money at all, the return for time invested is pretty impressive!
3. If you haven't jumped on the Marie Kondo bandwagon yet, now is the perfect time to round up everything in your home that doesn't spark joy! If you're like most people, you probably have a sizeable collection of items you no longer use and clothes you no longer wear. Thanks to online outlets like OfferUp, Craigslist, LetGo, and Facebook Marketplace, it's easy to sell those items to people all around the world. Those seemingly worthless items might be worth something, after all.
4. Remember when your parents or grandparents used to tell you "A penny saved is a penny earned"? It turns out they were right. If you're trying to save up extra money for a vacation, not spending the money you already have is a great way to do it! As you plan for your adventures, take a break from your usual night-out activities. Rather than going out for dinner and a movie, try cooking at home and getting a Redbox movie instead. Then, take the money you saved and put it in your vacation fund.

If you're looking for a side hustle that can help you save for next summer, check out our previous post.