I don’t know about you, but I’ve been in a position where I needed money NOW. Whether that be because I had an unexpected medical bill, a job layoff, or because the economy took a downturn and money was tight, the need for quick cash is not a unique problem that only a few have faced.
I venture to guess you’ve been there too. And you may need fast cash right now, and be wondering what you can do besides a personal loan to get money quickly.
If you need money now to cover your utilities, rent, expenses, or even your mortgage, this article will provide you with ideas on how to obtain some extra cash quickly.
In this article, I outline several ways to quickly generate money for an unexpected expense or emergency, hopefully without resorting to a payday loan, emergency loan, or any other short-term loan.
How to Make Cash Fast
There are several great ways to make money quickly, some of which can even be done the same day or the next business day, depending on what you’re selling or doing to earn a quick income.
In this article, I break down the options for making money quickly.
Some Ways to Get Cash Fast Include:
- Lowering bills and consolidating credit cards
- Saving money on everyday goods
- Selling things you own
- Selling a service
- Driving for ride-share or food delivery services
- Renting items for cash
- And last resort ideas for when you need money now
I know it can be overwhelming when you are in a pinch, but we’ve got your back with these ideas. I’m sure you’ll find at least one idea that’ll be helpful to you so you can make ends meet.
1. Lowering Your Bills
Before we discuss how to make money quickly, I’d like to share some tips on how to lower certain bills or even consolidate your credit cards.
There are six options below on how to lower monthly bills!
Lower Your Rent
Did you know that you can approach your landlord to negotiate a lower monthly rent? You sure can! Ramit Sethi was interviewed for CNBC about how to lower your monthly bills, and this is what he had to say about lowering your rent:
To increase your chances, offer the landlord something in exchange, Sethi says, like signing an extended lease, giving up a parking space, or keeping the apartment smoke and pet free, even if it is allowed.
According to Sethi, if you walk into the meeting with your landlord with a new rent number in mind and ready to negotiate, you’ll have a better chance of walking out with a new, lowered rental fee.
Just because you signed a lease at a certain monthly number doesn’t mean you have to stay at that rate. Don’t be afraid to approach your landlord. Walk in prepared and ready to discuss a new monthly rental fee. You may be surprised and leave the meeting having signed new lease paperwork!
Bring Down Your Cell Phone Bill
My husband and I switched cell phone providers, and we secured a great deal on the new phones and the monthly cell service bill.
What if you don’t want to move providers, or if you’re still in the middle of paying off a phone and really can’t afford to do so? What are your options, then?
According to Sethi, you should call your phone provider and ask to speak to the customer retention department. He said not to worry, that your phone plan will get canceled. He said your account won’t ever get canceled unless you decide to cancel it.
Lower Your Cable and Internet Bills
I don’t know about you, but I could stand to drop one or two streaming services in order to save money every month. Look into which streaming services you spend the most time on and cut out the rest. You’d be surprised how much you might spend each month just to have multiple streaming options.
But did you know that you don’t have to stop there?
Consider bundling your cable and internet services with the same provider. You may be able to save even more if you drop to a lower speed with the same provider.
Ditch or Lower Your Gym Membership
Much like cell phone companies, gyms want to keep you locked in. You can negotiate your monthly costs in similar ways as you did with your cell phone.
Conduct research on what your gym is offering new members, call around to other gyms to gather their specials, and come prepared to your current gym with the information you’ve uncovered through your research.
Or, maybe cancel your gym membership altogether. YouTube offers a wealth of excellent workout content and routines that you can do from home for free.
Lower Your Credit Card Interest Rate
Sometimes you can lower your APR with your credit card company. APR stands for annual percentage rate and is the interest the credit card company charges you to spend borrowed money.
If you’re willing to spend some time on the phone with the credit card company and conduct some research on how to negotiate a lower APR, your credit card company may be more receptive.
Consolidate Your Credit Card Debt
If you have multiple credit cards with debt on them, you may want to consider consolidating that debt into one credit card with a low interest rate.
According to Forbes,
You can consolidate credit card debt using several methods, but among the most popular are personal loans, debt consolidation programs, and, perhaps easiest and often cheapest, 0% introductory APR offers from balance transfer credit cards.
They go on to say, “Do be aware that your interest rate is likely determined by the term of the loan and your credit score.”
If you have high-interest rates on current cards and want competitive interest rates, consolidating may be a great option.
2. Saving Money on Everyday Goods
There is a natural phenomenon called lifestyle inflation, where as your income grows, so does your spending. One way to increase your bank account balance is to create a spending budget.
First, review all your monthly and yearly transactions to identify areas where you can reduce spending. Perhaps you’ve grown accustomed to getting pedicures every two weeks, or you’ve started going out to eat more frequently. Instead, paint your own nails at home, limit how often you go out to eat, and cook more meals at home.
If you’ve already cut the extraneous expenses, start looking at areas where you can save money, such as limiting the purchases of non-essentials like paper towels and expensive cleaning products. Instead, start using budget-friendly basics like baking soda, vinegar, and microfiber cloths.
Or perhaps you start shopping second-hand using thrift stores and online consignment shops like Poshmark. Additionally, consider exploring couponing and shopping around for the best prices on essentials. These small actions add up over time, putting a significant amount of money back into your wallet.
3. Selling Goods
This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make money fast, and I’m willing to bet you have items around your home that you could sell online for some quick cash.
If you need ideas of unwanted items you could sell, let’s break down some options below.
- Shoes
- Clothes
- Jewelry
- Cameras
- Gaming consoles
- Electronics
- Furniture
- Books
- DVDs
- CDs
- Bikes
- Coin collections
- Musical instruments
- and much more!
Just look around your home and get creative. Decide what you can part with, what is in good condition, and what other people would like to purchase, and boom, quick cash!
Where to Sell Goods
If you’ve decided this sounds like a good way to get cash now but aren’t sure what to do next, let’s look into places to sell your goods. Here is an overview of platforms and consignment shops that allow you to sell items online and in person for quick cash.
eBay
I venture to guess eBay has popped into your mind when thinking of places to sell your used items. And that’s for a good reason; many people still use eBay to buy and sell. It’s a great site to get started selling.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a hugely popular way to sell items locally. This will help cut costs or hassle in mailing items you sell. Typically, with FB Marketplace, buyers come to you to make their purchase, but sometimes you can meet at a neutral place, so they aren’t coming to your home.
Amazon
If you have used books, CDs, DVDs, sports and outdoor items, and even used (good condition) toys, you can sell them on Amazon. Although maybe not the first site you’d think of for selling used goods, it could be a good option.
Craigslist
I’m sure you’ve likely heard of Craigslist, as it was one of the original websites to buy and sell goods and services online and has a huge audience. Furniture and electronics do well on the site, as do smaller items such as clothing, bikes, and sports equipment. Even cars are sold on the platform! Read our article all about how to make money on Craigslist.
Poshmark
If you have gently used clothes, shoes, jewelry, handbags, swimwear, children’s clothing, and more, then you could look into Poshmark as an option for selling.
Etsy
Etsy is a great option for selling vintage items. Etsy is a massive marketplace for handmade, unique, and even vintage items, and could open up a large audience to your items for sale.
Garage Sales
If you’re considering selling locally, I’m sure this thought has popped up as an option—and with good reason! Garage sales are a tried-and-true way to make money by selling used items found around your home. And depending on your location and the amount of traffic that drives by your home, it could be a great way to sell items quickly.
Consignment Shops
These shops will sell your items on your behalf and provide you with a portion of the sale price. They typically specialize in specific items, such as clothing, furniture, or electronics.
Flea Markets
Flea markets are markets where a wide range of used and new items are sold at discounted prices. This is a great way to sell your used items on weekends or holidays to people searching for a bargain.
4. Selling a Service
In addition to selling used goods, offering a service is another great way to earn money from your laptop. But what kind of services and where can you advertise your services is the question, right?
Let’s look into that below!
What kind of services can you offer?
Where to Sell Your Services Online
TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit is an app that connects taskers with people who need help doing a variety of tasks, such as grocery shopping, repairs, cleaning, laundry, moving, outdoor help, and more. To get started, create an account, verify your identity, and pay a $25 registration fee. Then, set your rates, work area, and schedule, and start working quickly. According to their website, most taskers can start working within four business days. Payments are deposited via direct deposit. Other platforms you may want to explore include Angi, Care.com, Rover, and Bambino.
Fiverr
Fiverr is an online marketplace where freelancers offer their services to clients worldwide. Fiverr offers a wide range of services across various categories, including writing, graphic design, programming, video editing, and more.
Clients can browse the services offered by freelancers (you!) and hire them at affordable prices. Although you’ll typically earn less on this site than you would with your own website, it isn’t just a $5 per gig site anymore. Some freelancers offer their services at reasonable rates, and you can do that too.
Upwork
Upwork is an online freelance platform that connects businesses and individuals with freelancers from around the world. Upwork offers various services across different categories, including writing, web development, graphic design, marketing, and more.
Businesses of all sizes can post job listings, browse through freelancer profiles, and hire them for their projects. Freelancers can also showcase their skills and experience, apply to job listings, and build their portfolios.
How Does Upwork Differ From Fiverr?
Fiverr is a marketplace where freelancers create their service listings, and businesses come to them for their expertise.
On Upwork, listings are created by businesses seeking to hire freelancers for work. You can search through available gigs and apply for whichever jobs interest you.
PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is a worldwide platform that connects freelancers with people looking to hire. You’ll apply to become a freelancer on the site, and then you’ll create a profile, search for projects, and even list your skills and gigs to those looking to hire.
Contena
Contena is a platform for freelance writers seeking writing opportunities. You’ll need to apply to join this site as a writer. Once accepted, Contena provides you with access to a job board, email job alerts, a database of company profiles, and more.
TextBroker
Like Contena, TextBroker allows freelance writers to connect with companies needing writers. Once you’ve been accepted into their site, you’ll be able to browse writing assignments and apply to write the content for the company. Check out our article about freelance writing jobs for beginners.
5. Make Cash With Your Car
I’m willing to bet you’ve heard of how people can make money driving their vehicles. It’s a growing industry and one I don’t foresee going out of business anytime soon! If anything, it may continue to grow. This lets you jump in on the craze and make quick cash!
Some of the ways you can use your car for cash include:
- Driving people to and from where they need to go
- Delivering food to customers’ homes
- Delivering groceries to people’s homes
- Rent out your car when you aren’t using it
Driving People Around
Think of yourself as the modern-day cabby! Sign up via Lyft or Uber; the apps will connect you to customers needing a ride. You will need a valid driver’s license, must be 21 years of age or older, and pass a background check.
Before beginning, you’ll need to pass some training, and your vehicle must pass inspection. If you’re driving for Lyft or Uber, you’ll be paid weekly via a direct deposit.
Deliver Food
Delivering food to customers’ homes is becoming more popular nowadays, especially for those who don’t have reliable transportation to pick up their meals or people who want it delivered to their door. You can work for companies like Uber Eats or DoorDash if you are interested in this way to make fast cash. The fee you’re paid for each delivery can vary, depending on factors such as distance traveled and time of day.
Delivering groceries to people’s homes has quickly become a very popular service, especially for those who either can’t grocery shop due to a lack of a vehicle or poor health, or simply dislike grocery shopping.
You’ll need to pass a background check to work for Instacart. Once passed, you’ll be able to log into the site and choose shopping jobs. You’ll shop for the groceries and then deliver them to the customer’s door. You’ll be paid weekly via direct deposit.
Rent Out Your Car for Cash
Getaround is a car-sharing service that allows you to rent out your vehicle to those who need transportation. As a car renter with Getaround, you will be required to provide some basic information about your car, such as its make and model, and upload some photos.
Once approved, you’ll list your car on the platform and then set a price for the rental. You’ll have the option to approve or decline rental requests from potential renters. When someone rents your car, they’ll be able to unlock it and access the keys through the Getaround app. You’ll receive payment for each rental through direct deposit.
6. Rent Items for Money
Aren’t you just so excited by all the ways you can make money fast? In addition to selling goods, a service, or using your car to make money, there’s also renting out your items for cash! In addition to renting out your car, did you know you can also rent out your home, land, and more?
Let’s dive in!
Renting Your Land
Did you know that campers like to rent land? It has a name: Garden Camping. The appeal is to be close to amenities such as water, electricity, and bathrooms. So, renting your backyard will be just as good as if you have land out in the woods somewhere. I recommend checking out HomeCamper if you’re interested in doing this!
Renting Your Home
I’m sure you’ve heard of Airbnb by now. If not, essentially, it’s a site that allows you to rent out your home, or just a private room, to people who are vacationing. This is ideal for customers who don’t want to stay in a hotel on vacation or need something bigger than one hotel room. And if you have the ability to rent out either a room or your entire home, it could be an excellent way to make money!
Rent Out Your Boat
If you are a boat owner and don’t want to let your boat go to waste sitting at a dock while being unused by you, why not rent it out? Check out BoatSetter and start renting your boat ASAP!
Rent Your Swimming Pool
Yep! You can even rent your swimming pool! Check out Swimply to start renting out your pool. You can choose your hourly price, and Swimply even provides insurance for any potential damage.
Rent Your RV
If you own an RV and don’t live in it full-time, there are surely a lot of downtimes in which you could be renting it out! Check out RVShare or RVezy to start renting out your RV when you aren’t using it.
Check out this article on how to rent for money for even more great ideas about what you can rent out for quick cash.
7. Last-Resort Options
If your financial needs require additional funds, you may want to consider these last-resort options. However, they tend to come with hefty fees, which can add more to your debt in the long term.
Cash Advance
If you have a credit card, you may be able to obtain a cash advance, a quick way to access cash when you need it immediately. The downsides are that cash advances tend to have higher fees and interest rates, and you must pay your minimum payment on time. Taking out a cash advance can also result in a lower credit score if you’re unable to repay what you owe on time. Try to avoid using this option, as it may lead to deeper debt.
Pawnshop
If you have something of value that you don’t want to sell outright, but that could be used as collateral, you may want to consider pawning your items for a cash loan. With pawnshops, they assess the value of your item and give you a percentage of the value in cash. You then have a set period to repay the loan, along with interest.
Pawnshops typically have higher interest rates than banks and online lenders, but they offer a quick and easy way to get cash. Be sure to weigh the pros and cons before using a pawnshop. You can also sell your items outright to pawnshops, but they tend to offer much lower payouts than if you were to sell outright to a third party.
Wrapping it Up: Make Money Fast
I think we can all relate to needing cash quickly. Times get tough, bills pop up, people are laid off, and then you’re put in a hurry-up-and-make-money-fast situation. It can happen to any of us at any point in our lives.
When and if this ever happens, I hope you’ll refer back to this page and be inspired and encouraged to try one of these four options for making money quickly, as well as explore the options for lowering your monthly bills.
And, as you have seen, there are so many great ways to make money fast, and who knows, it might turn into a forever business for you.
Once you’re back on track financially, consider setting aside a portion of your next paycheck for an emergency cash fund that can help relieve the stress of urgently needing money.
Originally published June 16, 2023. Content updated June 2025.
