What The Tech: Need money for Christmas? These options can help
BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Tech Reporter
Christmas has a way of sneaking up on us. Before you put your gift list on a credit card and
worry about the bill later, take a walk around your house. Some of your holiday shopping money
might be sitting in a closet.
I tried selling a few things I no longer needed. In less than 30 minutes, I listed five items on
Facebook Marketplace. Two sold the first day, bringing in $35.
That won’t pay for Christmas, but it could take one present off the list.
Selling versus surveys
You’ve probably seen ads promising money for answering surveys, playing games, or shopping
through an app. The question is how much you’ll earn for the time you spend.
I spent hours completing surveys and earned just a few bucks. Selling things I already owned
produced a better result for me.
Start with items you no longer use: furniture, working electronics, musical instruments, lamps, or
clothing. Something that’s taking up space in your house could be something another person
wants.
For clothing, Poshmark is another option. You photograph the item, describe its condition, and
set a price. When it sells, you pack and ship it using the provided shipping label. Remember to
account for seller fees when figuring out what you’ll pocket.
AI makes creating listings faster
One of the biggest obstacles to selling online is getting around to creating the listing. You need
photos, a title, a description, and some idea of what to charge. Researching and comparing
prices can turn a simple task into something you keep putting off.
Facebook’s separate Seller app uses AI to help with that work. Upload photos, and it suggests a
title, description, category, and price. Listings created in the app appear on Facebook
Marketplace.
That’s how I listed five items while walking around my house in less than half an hour.
You still need to review everything before publishing. Make sure the description accurately
identifies the item, includes any damage, and doesn’t claim features it doesn’t have. Treat the
suggested price as a starting point.
The AI helps create the listing. Finding a buyer still depends on what you’re selling, its condition,
demand, and your price.
Give your items a chance to sell
Take clear photos in good light and show any flaws. Include useful details such as
measurements, model numbers, and whether the item works.
Compare similar listings, but remember that an asking price doesn’t prove something will sell for
that amount. Decide whether you want to hold out for a higher offer or price it to move sooner.
Local pickup can save you the work of packing and shipping, although you’ll still spend time
answering messages and arranging the exchange.
Set the money aside for Christmas
Once you sell something, move the proceeds into a separate holiday fund. Otherwise, that extra
money can disappear into groceries, gas, and everyday spending before you buy a single gift.
My first two sales brought in $35 from things I no longer wanted. It’s a modest start, but it’s
money toward Christmas and less clutter around the house.
Marie Kondo would approve.
