The holidays are supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. The reality is that the holiday season can also be financially stressful. Costs can add up fast when you consider expenses like gifts, decor, extra food, and travel. In fact, Americans were expected to have spent an average of $902 last holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. 

That amount of spending could lead to people turning to credit cards or other loans that may come with risks. EarnIn, on the other hand, offers an alternative. You’re accessing your own money, with no mandatory fees or interest — or worrying about piling on debt. 

Here’s a peek into how five real customers used EarnIn to get through the holidays —keeping the season joyful, instead of stressful.

One user in an Apple Store review talked about how they turned to EarnIn in early September 2024 when money fell short. They were able to access small amounts using EarnIn's Cash Out¹ feature (which allows you to get up to $150/day, with a max of $750 between paydays). The customer used Cash Out¹ for various needs as they came up: "This is an awesome advance that you pay back on your next payday. They start you off depending on what you make an hour and before you know it you can cash out $100 a day."

Another reason to be appreciative is that EarnIn doesn’t charge any "outrageous fees, and instead you just tip² what you can," says the user. (But there is no pressure to tip² anything at all.)

Having the flexibility to stretch out your pay to better match your needs can make all the difference between a bah humbug holiday and a relaxing, successful festive season.

Just before Thanksgiving last year, one user shared that they came to rely on EarnIn for the peace of mind it gave them when it came to accessing money. Holiday expenses were adding a lot of pressure to the budget and creating a lot of stress. 

They also found comfort in how easy the EarnIn app is to use and how customer service responded quickly when questions came up. "Out of all the cash-forwarding apps, this is the one I'd keep," they said. "It's easy to use and has friendly customer support."

For this user, it was about the access to their paycheck through Cash Out¹ and knowing there was a financial tool that worked when they needed it. "[EarnIn] has been a life-saving app for me, especially during the holiday season."

A user shared in a review posted in early November 2024 how EarnIn helped them feel more secure and in control over their finances during the holidays. They started to use the Cash Out¹ feature and loved how it’s interest free — so much so they always leave a tip² for the ability to access their earnings between paydays. "A major thumbs up," they wrote.

After learning about EarnIn’s Tip Yourself³ tool, they understood the importance of a rainy day fund and set the app to automatically pull a small amount from each paycheck. "I started setting aside money. [EarnIn] keeps it safe until you need it. I had forgotten about it for awhile and was happy to see what I had saved."

The cash cushion can come in handy as holiday expenses grow, helping to build some breathing room for spending needs. 

“EarnIn is truly a blessing and a great program,” they wrote. 

At the height of the holiday season, one user found that they were juggling their everyday costs with gift lists and party-related expenses. They were concerned about the pressure to keep up with their expenses week after week. "Around the holidays, everyone needs some financial help," the customer wrote.

Accessing your earnings before payday — with no mandatory fees, no interest, and no credit check — made all the difference, especially when small costs feel like large setbacks during what should be a joyous time of the year.

With EarnIn, this user was able to keep up with their weekly expenses without falling behind on their holiday planning. "This app is amazing and the fees associated with it are minimal," they said. "If you need an app to help with weekly expenses, try EarnIn!"

Heading into the holidays, one user was skeptical about using EarnIn. With many scams around this time of year, it could easily have been a clickbait app and not legitimate — promising access to cash fast but not delivering. "I seriously thought I was going to have to delete it," they wrote.

But the customer wasn't sure how they would get through the holiday financially, so they went ahead and tried it: "[EarnIn] deposited money into my account at lightning speed!"

With the Cash Out¹ tool, you can get access to up to $150/day, with a max of $750 between paydays in two to three days. But with a quick access service called Lightning Speed⁴, you can get your pay within minutes — starting at only $3.99 a transfer. This benefit can make a big difference during a time when you may not be sure how you're going to make it through the season financially. 

The holidays can put pressure on your wallet despite careful budgeting. The challenge for these users was juggling their daily expenses with the demands of the holiday season. What helped them was a way to access the money they’ve already made without having to worry about mandatory costs or jumping through loads of paperwork.

What's key is that EarnIn isn’t a loan. You don’t need to pay interest, there aren’t credit check requirements, and there's no pressure to use the app regularly. All you’re doing is accessing your own pay a little sooner than payday — when you need it. This app could be a no-brainer if you’re trying to experience less stress during the holidays. 

 Check out EarnIn’s Cash Out1 feature this holiday season to see how it can help you.