13 Real Ways to Get Cash Fast
You can sell something of value, consider a loan or find a side gig. It just depends on how much money you need, and how soon you need it.
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Updated · 3 min read
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Nerdy takeaways
- Sell unused items: Use Facebook Marketplace or pawnshops to generate immediate cash without taking on a new liability.
- Consider low-interest loans: Seek community help, payroll advances, or family loans before turning to high-interest options.
- Monetize your time: Gig apps like DoorDash or Instacart offer quick pay, but keep an eye on the platform and "instant pay" fees.
- Watch cash advance costs: Credit card cash advances and payday alternative loans provide fast money, but carry very high interest rates and fees.
If you need money right now, we have some ideas.
Start with this list.
1. Pawn something of value
A pawnshop loan is not ideal, but can be a fast way to get cash for something you own. The kicker is the pawnshop keeps the item you put up as collateral if you can't pay back the loan. But that’s better than ruined credit and calls from debt collectors.
You can often sell outright instead of borrowing against an item at a pawnshop. Jewelry and gold, musical instruments, firearms and up-to-date electronics are among the items that fare best.
» MORE: How to sell your gold
2. Sell stuff locally on Facebook Marketplace
Cash won't come as quickly as with a pawnshop loan, but you can quickly list items for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Furniture, electronics, power tools, men’s and women’s clothing and even vehicles are popular categories of items to sell on Facebook. Snap some pics, pull up your Facebook app and create your listing(s). Price items competitively for a quicker sale.
» MORE: Other places to sell online.
3. Seek community loans and assistance
Borrowing money can be fastest, but usually comes at a cost.
Local community organizations may offer lower-cost loans or short-term assistance to help with rent, utilities or other emergency needs. Religious groups may make small loans at low rates. Community centers and nonprofit associations in your area may also offer small loans.
4. Use a credit card cash advance
If you have a credit card and the account is in good standing, a cash advance is a much cheaper option than a high-interest payday loan. You’ll pay a fee, typically about 5% of the amount you borrow, plus interest, which can be about 30%.
5. Look for a payday alternative loan
Some credit unions offer small, short-term cash advances known as payday alternative loans. Federally chartered credit unions legally can’t charge more than a 28% annual percentage rate on PALs. That's not cheap, but traditional payday loans can have triple-digit APRs.
6. Get a personal loan
Some lenders can fund a personal loan in a day, especially if you have good credit. If not, look for lenders that work with bad credit. Rates for borrowers with bad credit from mainstream lenders can reach about 36% APR. Avoid no-credit-check loans with much higher APRs.
You can also ask for a loan from family or friends to avoid challenges with credit and reduce or eliminate interest. Money transfer apps like Venmo and Zelle make the exchange quick — but be sure to agree on the terms upfront to avoid family or friendship fallout.
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7. Request a payroll advance
Ask your employer for a cash advance on your pay. This usually doesn’t cost any fees and you can repay via payroll deduction. Some companies also offer low-cost loans to workers in crises.
8. Consider a cash advance app
Money borrowing apps like Dave, Chime and EarnIn promise fast cash that you can pay back when your paycheck arrives. With Chime, for example, its MyPay feature lets you borrow up to $500 before payday that you can get within 24 hours.
These companies will typically review your checking account to confirm you receive a regular paycheck for qualification. Fees that can add up and the potential for repeat borrowing are a couple of the downsides of apps like these.
9. Use a debt consolidation product
If struggling to keep up with multiple debts, a debt consolidation loan can combine them into one lower monthly payment — and some lenders fund within a day. For example, refinancing $5,000 from 10% to 5% interest could save you over $500 in four years.
If you have good credit, you can shop for a balance transfer credit card and move your high-interest credit card debt to a new card with a 0% introductory interest rate. Pay it off before the rate balloons at the end of the introductory period, though.
» COMPARE: The best debt consolidation loans
10. Walk or watch a dog with Rover
Community-focused side hustles are super popular, and can be a path to cash.
Rover and Wag are online platforms that match pet owners with local sitters and dog walkers. At Rover, you can choose to host the dog, stay at the owner’s house or do drop-in care visits. Rates for pet-sitting at an owner’s home can range from $25 to $100 a night, depending on the size of your city and the services involved.
11. Become a gig delivery driver
These are jobs you can do in the evenings or on weekends, using your own car and gas, that can help you get money now. It’s relatively easy to sign up for a service like DoorDash or Instacart, and you’ll get a weekly deposit once you start working. DoorDash will also let you cash out what you earn daily for a small fee.
Nerdy Perspective
How fast DoorDash pay?
I tried DoorDash delivery as a side hustle. While I didn’t earn much, I did get the money rather quickly. My first dash was on a Thursday, and the $23.25 I made that day was in my bank account the following Tuesday. I could have paid a $1.99 fee to get what I made right away.
Personal finance writer
12. Sell your gift cards
Exchange websites offer cash for gift cards. The site CardCash pays up to 92% of a card’s value. GiftCash is another option. Sites like these tend to take a few days to issue payment, especially if the card needs to be mailed in.
13. Ask for forbearance on bills
This isn't so much a way to get fast cash, but a way to stay afloat if you’re behind on bills. Some creditors, such as utilities and cable television companies, may not charge interest on late payments, so find out whether they’ll accept delayed payments. Use whatever money you save from not paying those bills to cover emergency needs. If you can't pay consumer debts, such as auto loans or mortgages, explore your options with the lender first before turning to high-rate loans.
Approach payday loans with caution
Payday loans, and those advertised as no-credit-check installment loans, are high-cost borrowing options for those with poor credit or limited history. You typically only need a source of income and bank account to qualify. But the fees you’ll pay, which can equate to an annual percentage rate of around 400%, make these less than ideal options.
Depending on your situation, exploring more reputable debt relief options is probably the better next step.
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Earn a 3.9%* APY on your cash
Boost your APY for 6 months with a Cash Account offered by Atomic Brokerage. Paid Non-Client Promotion*The boosted 3.9% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is offered on up to $250,000 in deposits for the first 6 months when you open a Cash Account offered by Atomic Brokerage LLC and deposit funds within 14 days. Balances above $250,000 will earn the standard 3.25% APY. After the 6 month introductory period, all balances will earn the standard 3.25% APY. The 3.9% boosted introductory APY is available through NerdWallet’s promotional program. APYs are accurate as of 12/17/2025 and are subject to change without notice.
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On this page
- 1. Pawn something of value
- 2. Sell stuff locally on Facebook Marketplace
- 3. Seek community loans and assistance
- 4. Use a credit card cash advance
- 5. Look for a payday alternative loan
- 6. Get a personal loan
- 7. Request a payroll advance
- 8. Consider a cash advance app
- 9. Use a debt consolidation product
- 10. Walk or watch a dog with Rover
- 11. Become a gig delivery driver
- 12. Sell your gift cards
- 13. Ask for forbearance on bills
- Approach payday loans with caution
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