I Desperately Need Money… What To Do When You Need Money Fast

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“Help!! I desperately need money …”

What to Do When You Need Money Fast

 

We’ve all been in a sticky situation at one time or another when we’ve thought to ourselves “ I desperately need money fast !”

Maybe there was a family emergency.

You might’ve needed to deal with an unexpected expense.

Or maybe the rent is due and you’re already behind….

If this is you, you’re not alone. In fact, over 60% of Americans don’t have enough money saved to cover a $500 emergency.

Which means there are probably other factors contributing to your cash flow problems that might need to be addressed such as…

Reasons Most People Say “I desperately need money”

You can’t stick to a budget

Live paycheck to paycheck with no emergency savings to speak of.

Or you’re deep in debt and can’t afford to take another financial hit…

Whatever the reason, you know it’ll need to be dealt with and I have some tips for you to help manage your money better in a bit.

But because I know you need money urgently, let’s get right into the different ways that you can quickly get cash in your bank account so you won’t have to worry about not having enough money when you need it most.

 

I Desperately Need Money Fast ~ Here’s How To Get Cash Quick

40+ Things you can try when you need money fast so you never have to say “I desperately need money” again

Apply For A Personal Loan To Get Quick Cash

You may have been trying to save money or have been making all your payments on time for a while, but you’ve been hit with an unexpected expense. In this case, a personal loan may be the answer to your problem as long as you have a good credit score, or are at least in fair shape.

The best thing to do in this situation is to find a reputable lender that can provide you with a personal loan. This will give you options and the chance to get back on track quickly!

This is one of the best options to get money fast if you got hit with an emergency or unexpected expense. But with taking out a loan comes yet another monthly payment so make sure it won’t leave you strapped for cash every month when the loan payments are due.

 

Pawn Something To Make Money Fast

Pawning is an option for people who need money right now. It is a form of lending that involves items of value in exchange for money. If you are in financial trouble and need some money fast, visit your local pawnshop to get an idea of what you can pawn.

The most popular items to get cash for are jewelry, electronics, or musical instruments. Depending on the item and its value, there may be a waiting period before you can get the cash.

The nice part about this is that you can always get your items back if you want them when you can repay the loan. 

Sign Up For Free Apps To Earn Signup Bonus Money

Using apps is not only a great way to save or make money but many will also deposit cash into your account just for signing up.

The signup bonuses might come in the form of cash where you can request a check or PayPal deposit, while others will give you points or credits to use to purchase gift cards.

And as mentioned earlier gift cards are still a great resource when you need money desperately because you can use them to buy necessities to free up cash.

 

Redeem Credit Card Rewards

If you have a credit card that earns points that can be used to make purchases, redeeming them to free up some cash might be a good option to help you get by when money is tight.

For example, I have an Amazon Prime Signature Card that earns 5% cashback on all my Amazon purchases as well as many other purchases like gas and such. 

When money’s a little tight, I can use those points to purchase necessities like household items and groceries to free up cash for emergencies or unexpected expenses when needed.

 

Donate Plasma to Earn Quick Cash

Donating plasma is an easy way to earn quick cash. You can earn anywhere from $25 to $50 for donating just one unit of plasma.

Most people want to give plasma because it is easy and doesn’t require too much time compared to other jobs. It’s also something that many people enjoy doing because it helps others in need and they get paid for donating.

You can only donate once every 28 days so if you just need a few bucks to make ends meet, it’s an option. If you’re looking to make more money fast, then probably not so much.

 

Ask Friends or Family for a Loan

The idea of borrowing from friends or family may seem like a risky decision. However, it may be a good option for people who want to borrow money but don’t qualify for a traditional loan.

Friends and family can be lenient with you on repayment times and interest rates, which can make the process easier. The first step is to ask your friends or family member if they would be willing to lend you money.

If they agree, you will need to set up an agreement on how much money you will borrow, when the payments will start, and what the interest rate will be.

 

Sell Old Electronics to Make Money Fast

If you have old electronics that you don’t use anymore, it is a good idea to sell them. You can get a lot of money for an old cell phone, tablets, and many other products.

There are many kinds of electronics that one can sell in order to make some money back on investment. There are MP3 players, tablets, laptops, smartwatches and so much more!

You can check out websites like Gazelle to see what your old electronics are worth and they’ll pay you for your items as soon as they are delivered to them.

 

Do Odd Jobs to Make Money 

Odd jobs are a very common way to earn extra cash nowadays. Some people even earn a full-time income just doing odd jobs around their schedule and other responsibilities since it’s a flexible way to make money.

What kind of odd jobs you do will depend on your skills and preferences but if you want to make money quickly, you should focus on tasks that save people time and are things they don’t like to do since a lot of people are willing to pay for these services. 

You can offer your services to friends and neighbors, put up flyers to advertise, or even use an app like Task Rabbit to find gigs around your area to earn extra money. 

 

Take A Cash Advance On A Credit Card When You Need Money Fast

Credit card cash advances are relatively easy to obtain, but they carry high interest rates and fees. This is not a great option if you are in debt but is a convenient way to get money fast if you can pay it back relatively quickly.

The most important fact to remember is that cash advances are designed for short-term use. When you need money fast, a credit card cash advance might be the answer.

 

Sell Your Clothes To Online Thrift Shops To Make Money

If you have a closet full of clothes that you don’t wear anymore, you’ve got an easy way to earn money fast. You can sell your clothes in a marketplace format and make at least 60% back of the original cost back in profit depending on the item’s condition and original price.

You can bring your clothes to a consignment shop in your area or sell them through online thrift stores. Some of these shops buy the clothes right away once they determine the value.

Other online thrift shops allow you to list your items and you only get paid once the items sell. In either case, the shop does take a percentage of the profits for their service.

Some pouplar places you can check out are…

ThredUp

Swap

My Kids Threads

for more options, check out this list of 15 Best Online Thrift Stores

note: this article is about saving money buying clothes at thrift store but most of them also allow you to sell used clothes for profit.

 

Save Money On Living Expenses By Getting a Roommate

The cost of living in the United States today is high. If you are currently struggling to make ends meet, it might be time to consider getting a roommate so that you can save some money on your expenses.

You’ll have to consider the space available in your home, whether or not you have any children, what kind of lifestyle your potential roommate has, and of course how compatible you are with one another.

Some people might be more amenable to being roommates with someone who has similar interests or beliefs as themselves. Others might just want somebody who’s tidy enough for the both of them!

Another option would be to rent out the space for short-term accommodations such as renting it out through Airbnb to help you make money without a long-term commitment.

Take Out a Payday Loan to Get Quick Cash

Another way to get quick cash when you desperately need money is by taking out a payday loan. It is risky if you aren’t sure you can pay it back when it is due, but if your money issue is just temporary, it might be a good option.

If you’ve never heard of a Payday loan, it’s a high interest, short term loan. It is usually repaid in a lump sum on the next payday along with any interest due. Payday loans are usually small, but they can still be expensive.

The cost of a payday loan depends on a variety of factors including APR, fee schedule, and your credit score. Some lenders may offer you a lower rate if you agree to pay the loan back over an extended period of time.

 

Stop Spending Money on Wants

Nobody likes to give up the things that they want, but if you need money fast, it could be the answer to your problems.

And most of us don’t even realize how much we spend on things that we don’t need. It could be a $5 latte daily, takeout because we don’t feel like cooking after a long day at work, or hitting the local watering hole for a few drinks every now and then.

One of the easiest ways to get your bad money situation under control is by starting to budget your money and track your spending.

This will give you a good idea of where your money is going and what you spending it on and you may be surprised at how much is wasted on certain wants. 

Of course, it’s up to you to decide what you are willing to give up and finding yourself in a situation where you need money desperately.

My guess would be NO. So to help you get started, grab our FREE budget worksheets below.

 

Get A Part-Time Job To Earn More Money

For many people, part-time jobs are a great way to earn more money without having to make a huge commitment. Of course, nobody likes to have to work more hours but if you’re needing money desperately, it’s an option.

There are many different types of part-time jobs available to people today. Some popular part time jobs include working at a restaurant, office help, or work in retail. 

Alternatively, you could also find part work online that you can do for the comfort of your own home. There are many legit online jobs that pay well such as data entry, virtual assistant, or even tutoring if you have the skill set. 

If this interests you, check out 34 Legit Online Jobs To Make Money From Home to find the perfect option for you.

Deliver Food To Make Money in Your Spare Time

Delivering food for Door Dash or Grub Hub in your spare time is another great way to make money fast when you’re in a pinch. 

This is an interesting way to make money because you can pick and choose when you work and what deliveries you want to make which makes it easier for people with families or other obligations to start making money.

You also don’t need any special skills or qualifications, so it’s easy to get started. All that’s required is a vehicle and a valid driver’s license.

And the best part is that there are no fees because all of them are handled by the app!

Move-In With Your Parents To Save Money On Housing Costs

The idea of moving in with my parents as an adult might seem strange or awkward but if you need money it’ll save you hundreds of dollars every month.

It’s not an ideal situation but the housing prices in most major American cities have skyrocketed in the past decade and there has been no relief in sight.

This has led many millennials to consider “moving back in” with their parents in order to save money on housing costs.

Flip Stuff For Quick Profit

Flipping stuff for profit can be a great way to make money quickly. You may have heard about people who have made hundreds of dollars in one day by doing these sales.

In fact, I interviewed a couple that earns 6 figures a year flipping flea market finds. The best part about flipping stuff for profit is that you don’t have to have any skills, just an eye for what’s worth buying and selling.

You can buy items at flea markets, garage sales, or even in the clearance isles of department stores and then flip them for-profit and resell them at a higher price.

 

Make Money As A Grocery Delivery Driver

The food delivery industry is booming and is taking over the grocery store industry since it’s so convenient and needed by many people. With this trend, we’ve seen an increase in the need for drivers and delivery persons.

This could be a great opportunity for those who are looking to make some money fast. All you need to get started is a car, a valid license, and a smartphone with a GPS.

What’s nice about these types of jobs is that you can work when and where you want to. It’s completely up to you if you take a call or not and you can just work in your area of town if you want. 

Consolidate Debt To Lower Your Monthly Payments & Save Money

Consolidating debt is a powerful way to lower monthly payments to free up some cash. It might seem counterintuitive, but consolidating your various loans into one could be the best solution for reducing your monthly payments.

This will reduce the amount of interest you are paying on each loan so you’ll keep more money in your pockets every month, which in turn will allow you to pay off the debt sooner.

The only thing standing in your way may be the anxiety of facing your finances head-on. But taking this step will help you become more financially stable and ensure that you are able to spend more income on things that matter to you in life.

Sell Unused Gift Cards For Quick Cash

Unused gift cards are often found at the bottom of purses, wallets, and coat pockets. Many times they go unused because they expire before we remember to use them or forget about them altogether.

So instead of letting them go to waste, why not sell them for quick cash. The first thing to do is to research the gift card’s expiration date and the current value of the card. 

Then you can check one of many gift card apps to find out how much they’ll give you for the cards. Most places will only give you a percentage of what the cards are worth but you’ll still end up earning a profit rather than letting them go to waste.

You can check out places like Raise and Card Cash to find out how much your gift cards are worth and sell them for cash.

 

Have a garage sale to Make Money

Garage sales or yard sales can be a great way to make a lot of money on a weekend and declutter your home. They are also enjoyable because you get to interact with people and make new friends!

But, in order for your garage sale to be successful, it is important that you prepare beforehand. Make sure you have enough time to put in the work necessary to plan out your garage sale well.

You will need enough space for all of the items that you want to sell. You will also need to stock up on supplies like signs, tables, boxes, and more.

If a garage sale is not possible because you don’t have the space, you can still earn money selling your stuff online. Check out Cash in on Clutter to find out where to sell your stuff for profit.

 

Drive For Uber or Lyft To Make Extra Money

Like food delivery drivers, driving for Uber or Lyft has become one of the most popular ways to make an additional income quickly.

The app has made it easy for anyone with a car and driver’s license to get started right away and earn money on their own terms – whatever that may be.

Basically, you get a notification when there’s a job and you can accept it if it’s convenient for you to do so which makes it really easy to make money in your spare time.

Do A No-Spend Challenge to save money

Money is one of those things that we don’t think too much about until it runs out. And when you really think about where it all went, most people don’t even know.

One way to get your spending in check, keep more money in your pocket, and make you aware of all your mindless spending is to do a no-spend challenge.

Doing this challenge could save you $1000 a month or more which would definitely help to have in the bank when you urgently need money.

A no-spend challenge is basically when you commit to not spend any money on things that are not necessities for a month or whatever period of time you choose.

Learn all the benefits of doing a no-spend challenge here.

Earn Free Gift Cards To Pay For Things You Need

One of the most popular ways for people to earn free gift cards is by completing tasks such as watching advertisements, playing games, watching videos, completing surveys, and much more.

You can even earn free money since some of these sites even offer the chance to win a free gift card with no work required.

The following are some of the most popular sites where people can earn money and rewards:

Swagbucks: This site offers a variety of earning opportunities and also has a wide range of rewards that can be given out. One redeemable reward includes a $5 Amazon Gift Card which you can use for anything you would like on Amazon.

MyPoints: This site offers members opportunities to earn points by taking surveys, playing games, and viewing advertisements. One redeemable reward includes a $5 Visa Gift Card which you can spend like cash.

If you like the idea of earning free gift cards in your spare time, check out 31 Genius Ways To Earn FREE Gift Cards to learn more.

Advertise On Your Car For Cash

How nice would it be to make a few hundred dollars every month just for placing an ad or two on your car windows and just driving around the same way you normally do?

Who would have thought? You can check out Carvertise to see how much you could make just for placing an advertisement or two on your vehicle.

Sell Your Services To Make Money In Your SpareTime

One way to earn extra cash in your spare time is by selling your services. Writing is a skill that most people have and that is why it makes the perfect service to sell.

The good thing about selling your services is that it can be done from anywhere with an internet connection. This means that you can do it all while sitting at home on the couch or even in a local coffee shop or park.

There are many companies out there who are looking for professional writers who will provide content for them at no cost in exchange for payment after the work has been completed, this way

Ask For An Early PayDay To Get By

When you need money desperately, you might have to do things that aren’t ideal to get by and one of those things might be to ask your employer for an early payday.

Of course, nobody wants to do this but if it’s that important to get cash fast, it may be a great option.

Asking for an early payday will probably depend on the place you are employed at as well since it’ll probably be a lot easier for an independent business to agree to the loan as opposed to a corporation where your supervisor would have to jump through a lot of hoops just to lend you a helping hand.

Rent Your Car To Make Money 

Renting out your vehicle when you don’t need it can be a great way to earn money and you don’t really need to do anything more.

There are many people who rent cars for special occasions, road trips, and even just to run errands and are willing to pay good money for its use.

Another option if you have a truck or van is to rent it out for a weekend to people who are moving or need to transport larger items that wouldn’t fit in their own cars.

Borrow From 401K If You Need Money Now

401Ks are for retirement, but if you need money now, then there are some circumstances that will allow you to borrow from your 401K.

It’s an easy way to get the money you need to deal with an emergency situation without having to take on any debt. Of course, you will need to pay it back within terms or you’ll take a hit but if you need money urgently, it might be better than the alternative.

And of course, unless you’re injured in a serious accident and can’t work anymore, this is not a long-term solution.

Make Money On Amazon

There are tons of ways to make money on Amazon but one of the fastest is by selling your stuff to them with their Trade-In services. With this service, you can easily sell your old books, gadgets, and games on Amazon.

Amazon will give you an estimate of how much you will earn from your items. If you like the price, you simply send in your items to Amazon. You can find out more about Amazon Trade-In here.

Amazon does not pay cash for your trade-ins but you still earn money in the form of free gift cards.

Negotiate Your Bills

One way to free up more money every month is to get your current bills lowered to keep more money in your pockets every month so you don’t get stuck needing money when unexpected expenses pop up.

The first thing you should do is go through all your monthly expenses to see if there are any things that you don’t need. Are there subscription services that you pay for on a regular basis that you forgot about or just don’t use anymore? 

Do you have streaming services or memberships that you barely use? If so cancel them.

The next step is to call your providers and see if there is any way to lower your bills. It could be bundling services to get discounted rates or downgrading a service to save money. 

You should also compare rates for things like insurance and other services. The amount you are charged can vary quite a bit so it’s worth taking the time to do some research. 

Negotiating your rates can save you hundreds of dollars every month so it’s worth taking time to see what you can do to save money.

Turn a Hobby into a Business

If you’re into crafting, woodworking, or any other hobby where you create things, why not start selling them for money?

You can sell your creations at craft fairs, farmer’s markets, and even sell your stuff online through third-party sites like Etsy, Shopify, or Facebook Market Place.

It’s easier than you think to get started. To learn more check out 21 Easy Things To Make And Sell For Money for more info. 

 

Advertise For Companies

If you have a social media following, you can earn money through affiliate marketing. If you don’t know what affiliate marketing is, it’s basically when you promote products or services to your audience or followers.

If they click on your affiliate links and take action like buying or signing up for whatever it was you promoted, you get paid a commission. 

Alternatively, you can become a social media influencer if you have a large following and get paid for sponsorships which basically is advertising for a company. 

The companies will request that you create social media posts advertising their product or service and you get paid to spread the word about the company and what they have to offer. 

Sign Up for Credit Card Offers

Credit card companies will jump through hoops to recruit new customers and sometimes offer bonuses between $100 – $300 just for applying and getting approved of course. 

Signing up for a new credit card that offers sign-up bonuses is yet another way to get money fast but it does affect your credit score so that’s something you need to take into consideration. 

Bonuses typically come in the form of a credit on your account so you’d be able to spend it however you choose. Others like this card will give you a free $100 Amazon gift card when you are approved which, in my opinion, is just as good as cash.

Cash In Coins

One of the first things many people do when they need money fast is to look for coins to cash in. After all, a lot of people just throw them in a jar or have some hanging around the house.

Unless you have a huge change jar that you’ve been saving for years, you probably won’t get too much money from cashing in your coins but it could get you by until payday.

Rent Storage Pace To Make Money

If you have any kind of storage space such as a garage, storage shed, or barn with some extra room, then why not rent that space out? There are many people who need to store things like seasonal recreational vehicles that pay good money to rent out space.

What about renting out your parking space when you don’t need it? You can list your parking spot on Your Parking Space.

If you are going to do this make sure that those items will be covered by your insurance if a mishap should happen. You don’t want to be stuck with a huge expense should something happen.

Borrow From Life Insurance 

Borrowing against your life insurance policy is another way to get money fast if you desperately need it. You typically can’t do this with term life insurance but if it’s a permanent policy, it’s allowed if there is enough cash value accumulated.

This is not a long-term solution to your money problems and will need to be paid back in time and might come with fees and charges if you don’t so do your homework and make sure you can pay it back within the time frame allowed.

 

Sign Up For A Medical Trial

Signing up for a medical trial is another way to earn money fast. Some can pay as much as $1000 – $2000 just for participating. 

Of course, getting qualified and accepted to a trial depends on many factors and you might have to jump through hoops just to see if you’d get accepted but if you do, there’s a nice payday waiting for you.

You can check out this site to see what kind of medical trials are available.

Exchange or Return Unused Gifts

We’ve all gotten gifts that we don’t like or won’t ever use for one reason or another. It could be we already have something similar, it didn’t fit, or just doesn’t go with your decor.

Whatever the reason, if you aren’t going to use them, why not return them for cash. Even if you don’t have a receipt, many stores will still give you a refund but usually, it’ll be of lower value since they don’t know if it was purchased on sale or not but getting 70% or more is still good since you were never going to use it anyways.

Alternatively, some stores may only give you store credit for your items but if you can use it to pay for necessities to free up money in your budget, it’s still a good deal when you need money fast.

I Desperately Need Money Fast Conclusion

As you can see, there are many ways to get money fast when you’re in a bind, you just need to think outside the box for ways to get or earn cash 

Once you get through this tight spot and don’t desperately need money now, it might be a good idea to set yourself up financially so you never have to find yourself in this type of predicament again.

How to set yourself up to never have to say “I desperately need money fast” again

One of the easiest ways to do this so you have cash when you need it is to have an emergency fund. Your first goal for your emergency savings should be to build it up to $1000.

This should be enough to cover most minor money emergencies and unexpected expenses.

I know that might sound like a lot of money to come up with, but the good news is you can use all the tips listed above to save money pretty quickly.

Ultimately, you should try to build an emergency fund to 3 – 6 months worth of living expenses to fall back on in case you lose your job, get laid off, or get hurt and can’t work for a period of time.

You should also make sure you keep your emergency fund somewhere where you can’t easily dip into it when you are running low on cash. 

Lastly, you’ll want to make sure you are earning the most in interest from your money so putting your emergency savings in a high-yielding interest savings or money market account is key to growing your savings faster with compounding interest.

If you need more help getting your finances into shape, check out these articles on the blog.

 

More articles to break the “I desperately need money fast” cycle

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31+ Ways to earn free Amazon gift cards

21 Easy things to make and sell for money

How to make money from home selling on Amazon

Flea market flipping: How one family earns 100K flipping stuff

30+ Genius ways to make money from home without a job

23 Passive income ideas to grow your income

17+ Real ways to make money as a stay at home mom

I Desperately Need Money… How to Get Cash Quick When Need Money Fast