Extra Cash for Christmas?

  Christmas.  Christmas bills.  Help!  I can't afford Christmas.
  Sure you can.  Don't use plastic.  It will get you into trouble.
  So what do I do?  Here are some ideas on getting some
  extra cash for Christmas:

     Yard/tag sales.  Think it is the wrong time of year?
            Heck no.  As long as you can stay relatively warm or 
            can use a garage, patio, porch you can have a sale.
            If you are into crafts this time of year is a great
            time to sell.  People are looking for Christmas
            presents.

      Newspaper.  Got something big or a lot of one thing
             you can sell?  Take an add out in your local paper.
             My newspaper has specials on ads for things like
             this.  Check your paper, you may be able to place an
             add for free up to just a few dollars.
              If you do this always be careful about having
             people over to look at your stuff.  Never let anyone
             over if you are alone.  Have someone with you.  If
             it is possible show your items outside or at the very
             least in the room your door opens into.  Be cautious
             letting strangers into your home.

       E-bay may be an answer to your needs.  I have never
              used it but you might want to look into it.  Some
              people seem to make lots of money selling there.

        Consignment shops.  No matter where you live I am
              almost sure that you will have at least one in your
              area.  How do they work?  You (call first) take what
             you want to sell to them.  They put it out for sale.
             When it sells the store keeps part of the money and
              you get the rest.
             Some places even has furniture consignment stores.
             Check your yellow pages under "consignment".

        Pawn shops.  Try not to go this route.  I haven't 
               used them but I hear that you don't really get
              what your things are worth.  But if you are in a
              pinch I would rather do this than use that Visa
              card.

        Don't have anything you want to get rid of?  Then
              comes work.  Don't go get a traditonal second job.
              Who has time and energy?  It is time to get
              creative.  Ask around see if you can clean someones
             house for some extra money. 
             Are you a great cook?  Know someone that barely
             has time to think about food much less cook?  Try
            "selling" your services for one or two meals a week.
            You can just fix what your family will be having those
             days or crank up the price for something else.
             Do you bake?  Surely you know someone that would
             buy a cake, cookies, fudge, whatever it is that you
             are great at making.
             Other ideas:  dog walking, run errands, address
             Christmas cards (don't you hate to do that?  wouldn't
             you pay for someone to do it?)  Pet sitting, baby 
             sitting.  Let your mind wander.  Think of things you
             would pay others to do for you.  Think of things you
             are good at or don't mind doing.

      Be sure to make a list of who you are
              buying presents for.  Cut the list back to the bare
              bones.  If you are in a group try to swap names
              instead of buying for lots of people (this can work
              for big families.)  If you won't see the person you
              are giving a gift to until after the holiday wait to 
              buy it then.  Chances are good it will be on sell.

          Got the money thing covered and ready to start
          shopping?  Shopping the LEAST expensive way
          possible?  Got some ideas to share with me and others?
          Gonna make me do all the work?  Stay tuned..........