Wallet-Proofing Your Fall and Winter: A Guide to Earning and Saving for the Season's Activities
- Letecia Griffin
- Aug 17
- 9 min read
#StressRelief #StressManagement #MindsetShifts #SeasonsGreetings #MultipleSourcesOfIncome #MultipleStreamsOfIncome #ReferralIncome #CashBack #AffiliateMarketing #FinancialHouse #FinancialWellness
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The back-to-school rush is barely behind us, and many of us are already feeling the pinch in our wallets. New clothes, school supplies, and activity fees have taken a toll, and now we’re rolling right into the fall and winter spending season. Between Friday night football games (and the concession stand runs that somehow add up faster than we expect), preparing for Halloween, planning Thanksgiving meals, and the upcoming Christmas shopping frenzy, it’s no wonder our budgets feel stretched thin. This time of year can feel like a whirlwind of expenses, and if we’re not careful, the stress of money can overshadow the joy of the season. That’s why now is the perfect moment to explore ways not only to save but also to earn a little extra. Think of it as creating a cushion, something that helps you breathe a little easier when those seasonal demands hit your wallet.
At EnvisionCo Blog, we’ve often talked about how relying on only one income source is not only risky for your financial health but also stressful for your mental health. A single paycheck can disappear quickly when unexpected bills pop up, jobs change, or simply when life happens. But hustling nonstop at multiple jobs isn’t the solution either; burning yourself out for a few extra dollars often costs more in stress and well-being than it’s worth.
The good news? There are ways to diversify your income that don’t eat up all your spare time. Side hustles and passive income opportunities can be small but powerful ways to lighten the load. Here are a few of my favorites that I personally use, that can help you keep your wallet (and peace of mind) intact as we head into fall and winter.
Amazon Associate Affiliate Program
The Amazon Associates Affiliate Program is a simple way to earn a commission by recommending products you already use and love. Amazon's brand recognition and trust can help drive traffic and conversions to your affiliate links, making it a lucrative option for individuals and businesses looking to monetize their online presence. The best part, there is no inventory for you to stock, ship, or track. You identify products you know, love, and use that your audience may be interested in. You post the links to those products on your social or business pages and you are done. Picture this, as everyone gears up for football season, Halloween parties, and Christmas, you can strategically share links to popular products. From team jerseys and tailgating gear to Halloween costumes and Christmas gifts there is no limit to potential affiliate income. Just be sure to clearly notify your audience that you are an Amazon Affiliate and that you may earn commissions from their clicks. Amazon and the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) requires such statements/disclosures.
Quick Wins for Your Wallet
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Upside
With all the driving to football games, fall festivals, and holiday shopping, gas costs pile up quickly. Upside gives you cash back on every gallon of gas (and sometimes even on groceries or restaurants). I’ve earned real money back just by consistently using the app, and it stacks with cashback credit cards and loyalty programs. With consistent use, you can easily earn enough for a free tank of gas or more. Here's how it works:
Sign up with my Upside referral link. | |
2. | Enter promo code NT3G8 to get an extra $0.15/gal bonus on your first purchase. |
3. | Link your credit or debit card to the app (I only use a credit card, which I’ll explain later in this article). |
4. | Search the app for offers at gas stations and restaurants. |
5. | Check-in on the app when you arrive at a participating location. |
6. | Use your linked card to make your purchase (make sure to use the same card you linked to the app). |
7. | Upload a copy of your receipt to the app (though, if you check-in/claim the offer, it rarely asks for a receipt). |
You'll receive cash back that you can transfer directly to your bank account, PayPal account, or exchange for gift cards. Sign-up with my Upside referral link. Input promo code NT3G8 to get an extra $0.15/gal bonus the first time you make a purchase. https://upside.app.link/NT3G8
Seasonal Tip: Use Upside before every drive to football games or holiday gatherings or shopping trips. A few cents back on every gallon adds up to money you can put toward stocking stuffers. |
Swagbucks
Between shopping for Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving groceries, and Christmas presents, why not earn rewards while you shop? Swagbucks lets you collect points (SB) for shopping at stores you've probably already been using like Amazon, Walmart, Academy Sports, and Best Buy. I've been using Swagbucks since July 2013. Swagbucks originally started as a survey platform, and surveys are still popular because companies are willing to pay for your feedback. However, I rarely use the survey feature. Instead, I’ve mainly earned free gift cards and cash for everyday activities I was already planning to do. For example, when I shop on Amazon or Walmart or book a hotel, I simply search for them on Swagbucks and get rewarded for using their links. There are plenty of other ways to earn Swagbucks (SB) too: you can shop online or in-store and upload your receipts, watch videos, play games, participate in daily trivia, use Swagbucks as your search engine, refer friends, and discover deals to earn points. You can redeem those points for gift cards to places like Amazon or Walmart, or even cash out via PayPal. If you want to give it a try, use my Swagbucks referral link to get started. When you sign up through my link, we’ll both earn a bonus 300 SB.
Holiday Hack: Shop for Halloween costumes or decorations through Swagbucks. Those points can turn into gift cards you’ll use in December. If the link above doesn’t work, just copy and paste this into your browser: |
Chase Visa
Yes, I’ve included a credit card (which technically is debt, but hear me out). There’s a responsible way to use a credit card. I use my Chase card for essentials such as gas, groceries, and insurance. Since I already have to pay my cellphone bill each month, I use my card to pay that too. The cashback adds up fast. With my card, I earn 1% cash back on all purchases, and every quarter, there’s a 5% cashback bonus on selected categories chosen by Chase. One thing I really value about my Chase card is the ability to monitor my credit for free. But even better, I can stack rewards. Remember when I mentioned Upside? I link my Chase card to Upside, which allows me to earn cashback rewards from both Upside and my Chase card. Even better, during quarters when Chase includes gas stations in the 5% cashback category, I’m earning rewards in both directions.
If you’re disciplined with your spending, a cashback credit card can be a huge help this season. If you sign up using my Chase referral link and get approved, I’ll earn $50, and you can also benefit by earning $150 after spending $500 within the first three months. Earn cash back with the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Chase Freedom Flex credit card.
Money Saver: Use your card for big seasonal expenses (like hosting Thanksgiving) and pay it off immediately to earn cashback without interest charges. |
Ally
Saving for the holidays doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Ally makes it easier by offering high-yield savings accounts and even “buckets” for different goals. I discovered Ally in 2016 through bankrate.com when I was searching for a high yield savings account. The thing I most appreciate about Ally is their interest rate. Unlike my brick-and-mortar bank that pays 0.30% APY and I have to wait to receive an interest payment once every 3 months, Ally paid a higher interest rate, and I receive payment every month. I cannot recall what Ally's interest rate was when I first signed up for the account in 2016. I can say as of the writing of this article, my Ally savings account pays me 3.50% APY. I can also have different savings buckets depending on what I am trying to save for. For instance, I can have my main emergency fund but also a savings bucket for say a trip I would like to go on. After Ally emailed me about their new referral program, I somewhat wished I was in a position to sign up as a newbie. From now until December 31, 2025, you have the chance to have your bank pay you $100. Yes, you read that correctly. $100! Here is how to do it:
To earn your $100 welcome bonus, follow these steps: |
Enroll in our referral program by 12/31/2025. |
Open a new Ally Bank Savings Account within 30 days of enrollment. |
Set up (within your new account) and start a qualifying monthly automated recurring transfer within 30 days of account opening. |
Complete at least 3 back-to-back monthly automated recurring transfers. |
Your $100 welcome bonus will be deposited within 30 days of receiving your 3rd recurring transfer. |
Holiday Hack: Open a “Christmas 2025” savings bucket now. Even small transfers will ease the pressure next year. |
SoFi
I almost feel that this offer needs no introduction because I have been hounding both my readers here and my followers on Facebook about this offer for ove a year now. However, for those new here this is SoFi. If your goal is to play the long game with your money, SoFi’s checking, savings, and investing options are worth a look. They offer high interest rates on savings and a simple way to start investing, even in small amounts. When you use my SoFi Checking and Savings referral link and fund your account with at least $50 in 14 days, you'll get a $25 bonus. SoFi also has an investing option. I personally hold my non-dividend paying stocks in my SoFi Invest account which I have had since June 2022. The amazing thing about SoFi Invest is that you can buy and sell stocks (or even pieces of stocks) with zero fees. My SoFi Invest comes with its own unique referral id link. When you use my SoFi Invest referral link and open an active investing account with $50 or more, you'll get $25 in stock. Please note though, you have to choose between one or the other (checking and savings vs. invest account). SoFi will not payout a bonus for you signing up for both offers.
📈 Future-Proof Tip: Use SoFi to stash holiday gift returns or extra year-end bonuses; you’ll be starting the new year ahead. |
As much as we wish we could press pause on all the expenses this time of year, reality doesn’t work that way. But what we can do is plan ahead, find smart ways to stretch our dollars, and introduce extra income streams that give us breathing room. Diversifying your income doesn’t mean piling more work on your plate. It means working smarter, stacking small opportunities that add up over time. Whether it’s earning cashback on gas with Upside, collecting Swagbucks while you shop, or building passive income with affiliate marketing, every little bit helps. And those “little bits” can make the difference between financial stress and financial stability as we wrap up the year.
So, as you enjoy the football games, sip your pumpkin spice latte, or start browsing gift lists for Christmas, remember, you don’t have to face the season empty-handed or empty-walleted. A few intentional steps today can make all the difference in how your finances feel tomorrow. Do you plan to try any of these, or do you already have your own income-boosting strategies? Share your thoughts in the comments; I’d love to hear what works for you. Please remember as you begin this journey, do not worry about getting it perfect; just get it going. Until next time. Happy reading and happy earning!
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” ~Chinese Proverb
Here at EnvisionCo Blog, we try to keep ads to a minimum making our blog entirely reader-supported. We may feature links on this site for additional informational purposes. From time to time, we may feature other links which are affiliate links (and these will be clearly marked). When you click through an affiliate link on our site and sign up for a service or finalize a purchase, we may earn affiliate commissions. This is of course at no additional cost to you. However, if you like what you see and would like to make a donation to help us keep ads to a minimum, we would greatly appreciate it! Nothing fancy. We accept the price of a cup coffee with as much gratitude as we would the price of a tank of gas!