No matter how much you prepare for a rainy day, at some point in your life, you will need money. An ill family member, a broken-down car, or an unpleasant surprise from the gas company can force you to seek funds from somewhere else. In fact, there are many different situations that might leave you with no choice but to look for money, so it’s probably a good idea to be prepared for these events. Here are some ideas on how to get the cash you need as soon as possible.
Apply for A Loan Online
Take out a loan. With an urgent need for cash, there’s no reason to be shy about it. There are many lending companies online that can provide you with a short-term loan based on your regular income and minimum monthly payments, and as the folks at Nimble say on their website, this is typically a fast and simple process. So if you need money asap, this is one of the best ways to get it.
Lenders are generally very flexible, but you should be aware that if you are unable to pay off your loan on time, your interest rate can increase dramatically. Shop around and compare offers before making a decision, as some companies might charge more than others for the same service. Weigh up all of your options and don’t get carried away. Make sure to check the company’s privacy policy and contact details before you sign up.
Sell Your Unwanted Stuff
Selling items is one of the best ways for making extra cash, and it’s probably also something you could do without much effort. There are several options available: ask a friend or family member if they want the items, put them on free classified ads online or at your local newspaper, organize a yard sale in your neighborhood, or take advantage of websites that allow you to instantly submit your items and get cash for them.
To do this properly, you need to set a fixed price and plan the selling in advance. For instance, if you decide to do this on your own, remember to take photos of your items, provide accurate descriptions and select reasonable prices. A yard sale might be the quickest way to get money when in need, but it can also be quite stressful and time-consuming.
Sell Your Time And Talents
If you possess some unique skill or talent, you can sell it to people who might need help with it. Perhaps you could tutor in a subject you are good at, do the shopping for someone in exchange for money, babysit kids in your neighborhood, wash cars on the weekend or perform other odd jobs.
If you’re proficient in something and have access to the internet, take this a step further and consider using online platforms as a way of making money. With sites such as Upwork and Freelancer, you can make money by doing simple tasks for other people all over the world. Sites like Fiverr are even more specific and allow you to offer your services for as little as $5.
To make the most money this way, marketing is essential. You should do some solid research and find out what other people in your location are doing to sell their services. Look at your local newspaper and online forums, as you might be able to work with a company that needs help but doesn’t realize it yet. Once again, make sure to take good photos of yourself and always provide accurate descriptions of the services you offer.
Get An Advance On Your Credit Cards
If you have a good credit score, this is one of the quickest ways to get money when in need. Before taking out a cash advance, make sure you understand all of the fees and rates involved, as they can be quite high. Also bear in mind that most credit card companies won’t approve cash advances on new cards, and some will require you to repay the money within a few months.
This option might be best if you’ve exhausted all of the other alternatives and need an infusion of cash as soon as possible. It can end up being very expensive, so don’t take out a cash advance unless it’s completely necessary.
Start An Online Fundraising Campaign
Do you have a cause that is really close to your heart? Perhaps your child recently got sick or something bad happened to you? As long as it’s legal, there are many online platforms that will allow you to start an online fundraising campaign.
Raising money through crowdfunding can be complicated and time-consuming, but sometimes this might be the right way to get money when in need. With sites like Indiegogo and Crowdrise, you can raise money quickly for your cause. It’s a good idea to start this type of campaign if there are many people around you who might be willing to contribute, or if somebody has already offered to do so.
Before launching an online campaign, you should have a plan for how much money you’re trying to raise and when you’ll achieve this goal. It’s important to create an interesting description of your cause, find out what donors are looking for, including plenty of photos, and spread the word in advance.
To illustrate how to properly do this, let’s say you want to raise money for your child who has cancer. You should prepare an interesting cause that will encourage others to donate, come up with a symbolic goal (e.g. raising $10 000) and provide proof of the cause (photos, videos).
Remember that the best sites to launch this type of campaign are those which have a lot of traffic. Try to use keywords in your description that make sense to the people looking for this kind of information, and search regularly on Google Trends to see what other people are using as their keywords.
Ask Your Friends and Family for Money
Although it might be uncomfortable, you can always ask your friends and family for money if you’re in a tough situation. It’s important to mention that this can’t be done over dinner one evening; you should call the individual or group of people who would be most likely to help and explain your current financial problems.
After you’ve asked, it might be a good idea to set up a schedule for payments. In most cases, people are not willing to give you large sums of money and will ask to repay the debt in small installments. This will help you avoid getting into more financial trouble as you start making payments to those who helped you.
If you are in need of money as soon as possible, don’t panic. With enough planning and creativity, you can get the cash you want in a short amount of time. By applying for a loan online or selling your time or your unwanted stuff, and getting an advance on your credit cards, you can usually get the money you need within a few days.
