SwagBucks

Perhaps the easiest, and most well known of these sites is SwagBucks.  By simply utilizing SwagBucks for some of their regular online searches,  members randomly win “bucks”.   Generally, members earn from 1-3 “bucks” per day,  which can be cashed in for various prizes.  The best prize deal on SwagBucks is the $5 Amazon gift card (costs 45 “bucks”).  Where “bucks” can start to build up more quickly is through friend referral.  SwagBucks matches the earnings of your friends 1 to 1.  With just a few referrals, you will find yourself cashing in pretty regularly.  One of the big pluses of SwagBucks is, that it really doesn’t take up much time .

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Oodles

Another lesser known way to earn gift cards including Amazon, is by answering Oodles Trivia and playing games, on GSN.com (Game Show Network).  The site can be a little hard to navigate at first, but just keep your eyes out for anything that says Oodles, and you will find your way around. Members who earn the maximum points each day, will have enough to redeem for a $50 gift card in just over a month. Cards are usually sent within a few weeks of redemption.  Hint: Trivia is not timed, you can look up answers if you want to.

Gather

Gather is a social and writing network, where members earn points for their activity on the site.  Points are given for both viewing content, and the views your content receives.  Gather is very laid back.  Submit pretty much whatever you like.  Active and well networked members can earn $50 and up, per month, casual use can still net at least a  $10 gift card in a month.  $25 is the lowest payout value for Amazon and Paypal.   If you enjoy social networking online, Gather.com is a painless way to generate some spare funds.

MTurk

MTurk is actually a part of Amazon.  It is an online database of paid tasks called “hits”.  Workers claim “hits” and have a preset length of time to complete the task.  Once completed and approved, the worker is paid right in the Mturk system.  There is a $1 minimum to cashout into your Amazon gift balance, and a $10 minimum for automatic deposit into your bank account.

Although none of these sites will generate a lot of income for you.  If you need funds for Christmas, and have some time on your hands, they can at least help you buy a few gifts this holiday.

While you are here be sure to check my other post about Ways to Make some Christmas Money

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Sell off your clutter, for Christmas cash
Poor Santa’s first suggestion is to check your jewelry boxes for any broken or out of style gold (and other precious metal/gemstone) items. With gold currently at high prices, you could get a decent payday. Beware of companies which require you mail your items to them for appraisal and payment. It puts you at a significant disadvantage. Reputable precious metal dealers can readily be found in your local yellow pages. You may even get invited to one of the currently popular “gold parties”, where a dealer “weighs & pays”, right at the host’s house.
Don’t overlook using Ebay or Craig’s List, to exchange out of use items for Christmas cash. Generally, items to be picked up by buyers are better sold on Craig’s List. Listing is both free and easy to use, and is especially great for selling your outgrown kid’s stuff, as well as yard equipment, tools and large items. Collectables and antiques that have been collecting dust, can bring a nice price on Ebay. Ebay is one of the few companies, which has not been hit hard by the recession. Items are still selling relatively well there.
If you have many smaller or less expensive items to sell, an indoor yard/tag sale, may be in order. During cold weather, these sales are few and far between. If well advertised, a cold weather tag sale can bring a large turnout of people, netting you a good amount of money for Christmas. I went to an estate sale in December a few years ago, and people were lined up to the street to get in.

Odd Jobs Flyers
Distribute flyers around neighborhoods, or on cars, offering your services to do holiday related odd jobs, like putting up Christmas lights and trees, assisting with kitchen chores for parties or if you have a truck transporting large gift items or Christmas trees. Many times people do not know where to find help for tasks like these. Think about what your talents and available equipment would qualify you to do, and put yourself out there.

There are also many ways to earn some extra Christmas money and gift cards online: Ways to Earn Amazon Gift Cards

Just some of the items available tonight include:

Samsung 40″  HDTV @ 3000 pts.

Macbook @ 1000 pts. 

Burton Snowboard @ 800 pts.

PS3 Game System Slim- 120GB @ 625 pts.

iPod Touch 32GB @ 600 pts.

Apple TV @ 500 pts.

Beatles RockBand Bundle Wii/PS3/X360 (Value 375pts/ Ltd 450pts)

iPod Nano @ 300 pts.

Wii System @ 250 pts.

Guitar Hero 5 Guitar Bundle @ 200 pts.

PSP Rock Band Bundle @ 200 pts.

Flip Video Ultra HD @ 200 pts.

Second Generation iPod Shuffle @ 150 pts.

Orange Amps – Micro Crush @ 125 pts.

Also a bunch of PS3, Wii, PSP, PC, DS, and XBox 360 games at 100 points each.

It is easy to earn points.  Members get 2 pts each day just for logging on,  another 2pts for answering a daily opinion question, and 2pts per referral.  Members who refer 20 or more new members join the Z-List.  Z-Listers recieve double points for everything and get exclusive access to certain content once the site does it’s full launch in a few weeks.  After full launch, there will be 21 ways to earn points. 

Even without any referrals, just doing the sign-on and daily question (which takes about 30 seconds), would earn you enough points to get one of the games, with points to spare.  Now that is an easy free Christmas gift  

The site is currently only accessible by invite.  If you would like one, just comment below, or direct message me the email you would like to use via twitter (@PoorSanta)

Currently, points are earned by signing in (2 pts),  by answering a daily opinion question (2 pts), or through a referral sign-up (2 pts).   There will be 21 ways to earn points once the site fully launches.  If you get enough referrals, you can make the “Z-List”, members have  access to exclusive content and earn double points.

Lockerz is only accessible by invitation during the beta phase.  If you would like to check the site out, and start earning points, just comment below and I will make sure you get invited.