What To Do When You Need Money Fast

If you’re in a bind and need some quick cash it can be a very frustrating and emotionally distressing position to be in. Nobody likes to be backed into a corner, but if unfortunate circumstances prevail then what you really need are some options – and you need them fast. So here is some inspiration as to how to get a prompt cash injection to help you through difficult times…

Declutter

You might be surprised by just how much some of your stuff is worth, particularly if you happen to have any collectibles lying around. Even if you don’t have single items of value, decluttering and selling what you no longer need can quickly add up. You can list them on ebay or local selling sites on social media. Or even have a carboot sale!

Sell Your Old Phone

How many of us still have our old phone laying around? It is easy to shove it in a drawer and then promptly forget all about it! But, as I already mentioned above, selling on unwanted or discarded items that are just laying around unused can really help when you are at a pinch. And old phones often have a decent value, especially if it is still in good condition and working order, which is often the case if you upgrade regularly. You can expect even more if you had one of the latest models at the time and it hasn’t been sat around too long! So this item in particular is one to note when looking for items to sell. Of course, the same goes for tablets too.

Find Your Creative Flair

Another thing you can do is to look in the free adverts section, or check out freecycle, then upcycle the items to create something worth selling. Again, you can promote these items on eBay or, with a little creative flair, you could even create an Etsy store.  Try to think outside the box in terms of what are the growing trends and you can make a fortune.

If you are a good photographer, or even artist, why not try selling some of your own work? Either as digital downloads on one of the many stock image sites, on a canvas or as small prints.

If you have a craft skill you could also make handmade items to sell.

Sell Gift Cards

Exchange gift cards for cash. Do you have any gift cards that you haven’t yet spent? Assuming you can’t spend them on essentials, try selling them on local selling groups, or sites such as Zeek.

Market Research Participation

There are tons of market research companies, both online and offline, that require you to simply provide your opinion on a variety of products and services.  The work itself doesn’t pay much, but it can be practically instant and requires no track record, skills, experience, or protracted interview and onboarding process.  The work itself is limited mostly to filling in a few questionnaires and offering verbal feedback.

Odd Jobs

Take a step out of the thirsty teenager’s book; where they’ll knock on doors or leaflet drop offering their services – mowing laws, cleaning windows, walking dogs, chopping down trees, doing ironing; whatever it is, they’ll be open to doing it.

There are plenty of things people will pay money for, particularly the time starved, that you can offer to help them with. It might sound a little embarrassing but you will be amazed by how open some people can be to paying cash for odd jobs they need doing but can’t find the time.

Temporary Work

You could also ask to take on extra shifts at work, or enquire about any potential overtime opportunities. If this is not an option, you could try temp agencies. There are often temporary assignments available, particularly if you don’t mind unskilled manual work and are happy to work shifts. Remember it is only temporary!

Casual Work

If you are more of an office based computer type person, there are online sites like fiverr. Or you could also look into casual work at local bars and restaurants too. Mystery shopper is another popular choice.

Get a Loan

In today’s global economic crisis and this prolonged credit crunch we have been experiencing, getting a standard loan from a bank is proving to be more and more challenging. Banks have an increased sensitivity to risk and are reluctance to lend to people. Not only that, but the interest on the loan is often a lot higher than it would have been ten years ago. Therefore, for many people, the option to get a standard loan from a high street bank isn’t all that viable,

If it is a real emergency, then there are a number of same day loan providers such as New Horizon that subject to approval can pay up to £2,500 within less than 15 months. Whilst this is convenient in an emergency, it is a very expensive way to borrow money so is best used as a short-term stop-gap solution rather than as a long-term financial strategy.

Renting Out Space

If you have a spare room in your home you may wish to consider taking in a lodger. Another popular idea, particularly if you live close to a commuter line station, is to rent out your parking space. Lastly you could even rent out your garage, if you have one. (Although beware of any insurance implications when doing so!)

Switch Your Bank

Sometimes when you switch to a new back they give you an incentive, such as £250 cashback. If you shop around for such a deal you might find you are able to take advantage of one of these offers when you truly need it the most.

Ask! (Or at least talk to someone)

Consider if you have any family or friends you can open up to, and explain the situation. Even if they can’t help in a practical sense, you will probably feel much better having talked it through with someone. And they might well help you out if they possibly can in one way or another. Just like you would hopefully do for them!

*This is a collaborative post.