Copyright ChrisGorgio

With back-to-school in full force and the holidays fast approaching, budgets may be feeling squeezed and pinched to the max. To help make the impending gift giving gauntlet easier on the bank account, here are 5 free apps that could help you earn a few extra bucks this season…and have some fun in the process!

1. OfferUp
   It’s essentially a yard sale in your pocket! Snap a picture, name your price and wait for the offers to come in. Their website says, “With a single snap, you can take a photo of an item and instantly circulate it to people nearby.” No more setting up or sitting out in the hot sun for hours, hoping someone shows up and is interested in what you have to offer. Offer-up brings targeted interests right to your door!
2. AirBnB
   Got kids going off to college? Put their bedroom space to good use and host tourists or the traveling biz exec crowd and earn some cash! Just renting out one unused room in your home can earn you multiple hundreds of dollars! All right from your smartphone.
3. HealthyWage
   If you’ve been wanting to shed a few pounds, here’s an opportunity to lose weight and gain cash. With HealthyWage, you can actually win money for losing those unwanted pounds. They’ve got weight loss challenges starting all the time that run from 3 to 18 months, for the Holiday rush, check out their $10,000 Team Challenge boasting more than $20,000 in prizes, with the top team taking home the $10,000! That’s no chump change. Plus, you’ll benefit from getting healthier in the process.
4. YouTube
   You know that wicked cute video of your cat falling asleep and rolling off the edge of the bed? That could earn you some cash! Payouts vary, and YouTube can be somewhat vague about how much you can earn, but they don’t call them “YouTube stars” for nothing! Find your niche, grab a selfie-stick and you’re in business.
5. SwagBucks
   Okay, it’s not cash, but gift cards can go a long way too! Take surveys, watch videos, search the web, and shop all of your favorite online stores–all while earning gift cards. The cards range from $5 to $100 and are offered for shopping with Amazon, PayPal, Target, Walmart and more!

These are just some examples, so get creative! There’s cash to be had, all starting from the palm of your hand!

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided at no cost and/or arranged to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way as per the disclosure policy on our “Legal” page***