Need Fast Cash? Some (Not So Fun) Ways to Get It
June 30, 2008 by Miranda Marquit
Filed under Credit, Debt Management, Family finances, Personal Finance
One of the questions I am occasionally asked goes something like this:
“How can I get some fast cash?”
For most people, the answers are less than pleasant. Shannon Christman at SavingAdvice.com offers these things you can do to rustle some fast cash (usually between $100 - $500):
- Yard sale.
- Online auction.
- Pawn shop.
- Salvage (scrap metal, cans, etc.).
- Loan from friends or relatives.
- Look for government emergency assistance or charities (for true needs only).
- Offer to do odd jobs for neighbors.
Most people, when they ask this, expect some amazing and enlightening answer that is (preferably) easy to do. Unfortunately, none of the above options are palatable. And most of them involve some sort of effort on your part.
Here are a couple more things you can do, if the options are available to you:
- If you have investments (that are not part of your retirement account), you can sell a stock or two. Just be aware of the taxes situation.
- Get some from your savings account (but make sure you pay it back in).
- Write yourself a purchase check from your credit card (lower rates than a straight cash advance). But getting yourself into debt is rarely the best option.
I find, though, that most people who are looking for fast cash don’t even have the three options above open to them. And that leaves them at the mercy of payday loans and car title loans. Neither of which is a very good choice.
image credit: sxc.hu
Right after I graduated from college I was sofa surfing and living in my car. I remember selling my stereo equipment and records (how 80’s of me). And you are right! It was not pleasant. So glad to have a house (or two) now.
On the bright side, getting rid of the old technology vinyl set me up for CDs once I got back on my feet.
Way to make lemonade from lemons
there are also online sites right now that pay for articles submitted to them. Some even pay people to blog while others provide some sort of marketplace where you can choose which projects you would like to work on. Again, just like what is posted in this blog, you need to make an effort before you could expect some cash to come your way.
You make a good point. I make a pretty decent living as a blogger. But I wouldn’t call it fast cash, since I get paid once a month. But you are right that there are sites that pay more often than that. But you do have to make effort.
Need Fast cash!! Good Information.