CHRISTMAS is coming – along with all of its expenses.

So if you need some quick cash, here are my tips for adding some extra hundreds to your budget.

Christmas is only a few weeks away

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Christmas is only a few weeks awayCredit: Getty

RICH SWITCH: Save loads of dosh by switching banks. HSBC offers £150 to move to its Advance Account via the MoneySupermarket website (ends Dec 16), while Halifax gives you £125 for transferring to its Reward or Ultimate Reward current account (ends Dec 14). First Direct offers £100, Nationwide up to £125 and Virgin Money £150 in Virgin Experience vouchers for new M Plus and Club M customers. Apply on their websites and watch for T&Cs.

SAVE: £150

GRAB A MATE: Thinking about moving utilities? Find a mate who is already with that provider, and you’ll both get a bonus. So if you plan to switch to BT, get your pal’s referral code — it will be in their account — and you’ll both get a £50 Amazon voucher. Virgin Media offers £50 cash for switcher and referrer.

SAVE: £50

CASH FOR QUESTIONS: Swagbucks is a site where you earn points for answering questions, watching videos and playing online games. Notch up 700 points and you get a £5 Amazon voucher. Newcomers who sign up via Money Saving Expert can get £20 in Amazon eGift cards if they earn 1,300 points (worth £10) within 30 days. PopulusLive is a good survey site, giving £1 per five minutes spent on it.

SAVE: £20

MYSTERY SHOPPING: Get paid to test a shop by buying something and writing a review about it. For jobs, register on Marketforce, Red Wigwam, Grass Roots, Ipsos or Tern. Mystery shoppers get up to £20 to spend at each store, but payments can be a lot higher depending on the job.

SAVE: £20

  • Prices correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

Deal of the day

The Roanstar III waterproof insulated Parka jacket is £44 at Debenhams

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The Roanstar III waterproof insulated Parka jacket is £44 at Debenhams

COLD? Get the Roanstar III waterproof insulated Parka jacket for £44, down from £110, at Debenhams.

SAVE: £66

Cheap treat

Mr Kipling's cherry Bakewells are £1 at Sainsbury's

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Mr Kipling’s cherry Bakewells are £1 at Sainsbury’s

MR Kipling’s cherry Bakewells are down to £1 from £1.70 at Sainsbury’s.

SAVE: 70p

What’s new?

O2 and Virgin Media broadband customers can get a free quarter-pounder with cheese, veggie deluxe burger, four veggie dippers or three-piece chicken select at McDonald’s branches (not drive through) this week with a code available on the O2 Priority app.

Top swap

A Grenade Carb Killa protein bar from Holland & Barrett is £2.49

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A Grenade Carb Killa protein bar from Holland & Barrett is £2.49
Aldi's dupe will only set you back £1.09 - less than half the price

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Aldi’s dupe will only set you back £1.09 – less than half the price

LOVE a protein bar? Buy a Grenade Carb Killa one from Holland & Barrett for £2.49, or an Aldi dupe for less than half the price at £1.09

SAVE: £1.40

Leah’s little helper

SOME parents ordering children’s presents from Amazon have had items delivered with no outer packing, giving kids an early peek. To avoid this, opt to “Ship in Amazon Packaging” at the checkout so it comes in a plain box. Or get it sent to a workplace or friend.

Most read in Money

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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk

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