By: Rachel Mork
If you're looking for ways to make cash fast, you're not
alone. Luckily, opportunities for fast cash abound if you know
where to look. Let's say you need to come up with $500 in the
next week, or maybe $500 more a month to get by until things
turn around. Try at least half of these methods to get fast
cash, and you'll have more available to pay down your bills.
1. Sell Valuable
Possessions To A Pawn Shop
Go through your possessions, and look for items of value with
which you could do without, and sell them to a pawn shop for
quick cash.
2. Use Possessions Of Value
As Collateral To Get A Loan From A Pawn Shop
If you can't bear to let go of the valuable possessions
mentioned above, but you really need the cash now, consider
using those possessions as collateral for a short-term loan from
a pawn shop. Remember, a pawn shop will require you to pay back
the amount borrowed plus interest and fees, so do this only if
you need money for a stop-gap situation, not for a long-term
solution.
3. Hold A Garage Sale
Anything the pawn shop won't take can get sold on your front
lawn or in front of your apartment.
4. Give Plasma
You can donate plasma twice a week for about $35 a session. You
can make $70 every week or $280 every month and help out someone
in need.
5. Donate Bone Marrow
If you're really brave, consider donating bone marrow for about
$75 to $100 per donation. You can do this as often as you can
plasma, but the money isn't bad. Keep in mind this procedure is
painful. If you're willing to commit to a long-term medical
project, you can donate sperm, but you'll have to commit to a
six-month-long period.
6. Ask For Overtime Hours
You can earn fast cash at the job you already have. If you work
a job that offers overtime, offer to take the hours no one else
wants.
7. Hire Yourself Out For
Gigs
You can find all kinds of odd jobs on craigslist, the local
newspaper and other message boards. Try hiring yourself out as
an organizer, a dog walker, a pooper-scooper, a cleaning
service, a babysitter or a lawn care specialist.
8. Pick Up A Temp Job
You can pick up a short-term job through a temp agency or pick
up a second job, such as delivering newspapers.
9. Substitute Teach
If there's one area that's always in need, it seems to be in the
field of substitute teachers. You can get paid between $50 to
$100 per day as a substitute teacher, and you get to say yes or
no when they call you for a job.
10. Teach A Class At The
Local Community Center
Pick a talent you possess, be it computer programming or basket
weaving, and offer to teach at your local community center or in
your neighborhood. Teaching your neighborhood yoga or exercise
class can bring in a tidy bit of cash while you do something you
enjoy.
11. Get Crafty… And Sell
Your Creations
Make your own cards or crafts, and sell them at farmer's markets
or flea markets.
12. Sell Stuff At Online
Auctions
Remember that stuff left over from your garage sale? Sell it
online.
13. Eat On The Cheap
Decide to eat cheap for five days a week. Try beans and rice,
ramen, pasta, onions and root vegetables (carrots, potatoes,
sweet potatoes, turnips and rutabaga). Refuse to buy pre-packed,
processed and expensive food items. Make your own lunches
instead of going out to eat.
14. Return Stuff You Don't
Need
Look through your closets and garage for stuff you bought and
intended to return. Start keeping receipts and tags for
everything you buy just in case you need to return it.
15. Rent Out A Room
Taking in a boarder can bring in significant cash.
16. Become A Taste Tester
Or a secret shopper. Or a mystery guest. You can get paid up to
$20 for an hour's work. Search online for opportunities.
17. Ask For A Quick Cash
Advance
Some employers will give you an advance upon request. You can
also get a payday loan, sometimes called a quick cash loan, from
a lender. These loans are very short term, usually for a week or
two, and come with high fees and high interest rates. They are
helpful only when you are in an emergency situation and know you
will be able to repay the loan in the established time frame.
18. Tap Into Your Savings
You don't want to do it, but sometimes you have to. Promise
yourself you'll replace the money as soon as you hit a certain
level of financial stability-get a job, make x amount again or
pay off this particular bill.
19. Turn In Recyclables For
Cash
Collect cans and bottles, and turn them in for cash at recycling
centers.
20. Go Without Luxuries
Decide that for a set amount of time you will not buy anything
that is a want, only things that qualify as needs. Evaluate
every purchase-that cup of java at Starbucks is a luxury-and
choose to spend money only on things you actually need. Ask
yourself, "What would happen if I didn't buy that new shirt?" If
no catastrophe will result, say no.
