Winter Break Survival Guide: How to Save and Spend

The holidays can be slow in the money department. If you are one of the lucky ones who receives a monthly allowance from your parents, all funds are frozen. If you have to work to support yourself, you’re out of job for a few weeks and funds are also basically frozen. Thawing out that cash flow seems impossible when you’re snowed in at your parent’s house. All puns aside, making money at home is hard to do without support from a job or your parents. Even worse, this is the time to give, which means spending money on someone else besides you. Fear not, there is a way to overcome this first world problem, five to be exact.
 
1.     Sell your stuff– The end of the semester means there is no longer any use for required textbooks. Cash in on your parents scholastic investment and sell back your books. You will only get back about a fourth of the actual worth of the books, but it’s better than nothing. That small parcel of money will be enough cushioning to get you thru some holiday shopping. It may seem unethical to pay for Christmas/Hanukkah gifts for your parents with their own money. However, the point of gift giving is buying people things they would never buy for themselves. The added benefits of unwrapping a gift are really priceless. There really isn’t anything quite as invigorating as ripping wrapping paper.
2.     Clean out your Closet- Whether or not your realize it, you’re sitting on a gold mine at home. Take this time (everyone knows free time is the only thing you have excess of right now) to get a head start on your spring-cleaning. Clean out your closet and sell anything and everything that appears to have value. Remember to use caution; there is a difference between sentimental value and fiscal value. Sadly, your little league trophies are worthless. Old clothes, jewelry, and Bat Mitzvah gifts are worth more than you think. Consignment stores and pawnshops* are gold mines, so get rid of anything that isn’t vital to your survival. Of course, there is always the option of donating clothing, furniture, electronics, etc.
3.     Babysit- Potentially the best way to make money at any time of the year/in your life is sitting on babies. The holidays are a busy time of year for parents with all of those parties and shopping. A Christmas party is no place for a child, especially when there is an endless flow of eggnog and/or an open bar. Let anyone you know with a child that you will be in town for the end of December and they will flock to you. You’re guaranteed at least ten dollars an hour and time and a half if the parents come home drunk. They always come home drunk. If you babysit New Years Eve, you can consider yourself part of the 1%.
4.     Do chores- There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Remind your parents of that when you serve them the lunch you’ve made them after going to the grocery store, picking up your little sister from soccer practice and unloading the dishwasher. Mom and dad will put you to work the second you walk thru the door. Free labor is illegal in this country, you’re eighteen now and are one your way to earning a college degree. You deserve minimum wage, tell your parents it’s the law. Help out as much as you can, keep a tally of your accomplishments and send your parents the bill. 
5.     Pick up where you left off- If you had a job in high school, call up your boss and let them know you’ll be home. December and early January are a busy time for the restaurant business and retail industry. Most places need a little extra help. Continue to live the dream by returning to your high school job or finding a temporary one in your hometown. Get started looking for a job in November, if not earlier. Choose wisely, the employee discount is a deal breaker. Don’t apply to iHop because no one wants free pancakes, they want jeans for 40% off. Be advised, this is a last resort because having the same job you had in high school is embarrassing**.
 
*I have not ever actually sold anything to a pawnshop, or stepped foot in one for that matter, but I’ve watched “Pawn Queens” on TLC and those ladies are swimming in money.
            ** I have the same job I had in high school.