Temporary Job Relieves Credit Crunch

CHICAGO (TheStreet) -- If you're looking at your end-of-year finances with apprehension, you're not alone. This has been a brutal year for small businesses, and many owners aren't nearly where they hoped to be financially.

But December and its non-negotiable expenses loom. Presents for your kids and spouse (not to mention mother-in-law, nephews and nieces, et. al.). Food for the holiday feast you'll be hosting and provisions for the out-of-town relatives coming to stay. Excursions to keep the kids entertained while they're off school. A bonus to the babysitter who watches those kids while you're working.

How to cover all those costs when you're already cash-strapped? Consider picking up a temporary holiday job.

Despite the dismal overall employment numbers, thousands of places around the country are hiring seasonal workers at this very moment. Most jobs are at big-box retailers desperate for more employees on the ground during the holiday rush, jobs for which you're probably overqualified. But you can earn enough cash to pay for all those end-of-year expenses, and avoid starting 2010 with a whole new stack of credit-card debt.

The easiest way to find a holiday job is to simply ask at your local mall or shopping center. You can also check out Web sites that specialize in advertising hourly positions. SnagAJob.com is filled with job listings from retailers such as Target(TGT), Michael's and Toys "R" Us. SimplyHired.com has listings from stores as well as temporary opportunities for registered nurses and accountants (search under "seasonal").