We were browsing Reddit recently and someone asked about how to make money fast when you already have a full-time job.
More than one person responded with "sell plasma." You do you, but that's not on our list.
Someone else suggested selling options — one of our investing Nerds has been trying that, and his verdict is “not a disaster, but not easy money either.”
If you need money today, these options ⬇️ can help. Looking to build steady extra income over time instead? See our guide to side hustles.
1. Pawn something of value
You can often sell an item outright instead of borrowing against it at a pawnshop. Jewelry and gold, musical instruments, firearms and up-to-date electronics are among the items that fare best.
A pawnshop loan is another option. It’s 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.
Typical speed: Same day
Typical cost: Deep discount on item’s value
» MORE: How to sell your gold
2. Consider a cash advance app
Money borrowing apps like Dave, Chime and EarnIn promise fast cash that you can pay back when your check comes in. With Chime, for example, its MyPay feature lets you borrow between $20 and $500 before payday within 24 hours (or instantly for a 3% fee). Your limit will depend on a range of factors, such as your direct deposit amount and borrowing history.
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.
Typical speed: Instantly or up to 24 hours
Typical cost: $0 to $8 per advance
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3. 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 (we don’t recommend those). You’ll pay a fee, typically about 5% of the amount you borrow, plus card interest when you carry a balance, which can be about 30%.
Typical speed: Same day with an ATM
Typical cost: ~5% fee + ~30% APR
4. Request a payroll advance
You can also ask your employer for a cash advance on your pay if your situation warrants it. 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. The caveat: A payroll advance shrinks your next paycheck, which can start a cycle.
Typical speed: One to three days
Typical cost: Usually free
5. Try gig work
Gig work platforms can offer paths to relatively quick cash (once you get approved).
You can work delivery jobs in the evenings or on weekends, using your own car and gas. Some platforms have rental cars available if you don’t have a car, but the rental fees eat into your pay. It’s fairly easy to sign up for a service like DoorDash or Instacart, and you’ll get a weekly deposit once you start working. DoorDash has a Fast Pay option that lets drivers cash out daily for a $1.99 fee.
Rover and Wag are platforms to get pet-sitting gigs. At Rover, for example, 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. With Rover, you’ll get paid two days after completing a service.
Typical speed: One day to one week
Typical cost: Not much for pet-sitting; Gas, wear and tear on car for driving gigs
Nerdy Perspective
How fast does 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 the $1.99 fee to get what I made right away.
6. Seek community loans and assistance
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.
Get the ball rolling by dialing 2-1-1 on your phone. It connects you to local rent and utility assistance.
Typical speed and cost: Dependent on the path you choose
7. Apply for 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.
Typical speed: One to seven days
Typical cost: 6% to 36%
8. 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.
Typical speed: One to three days
Typical cost: 28% APR cap
9. Sell electronics for a locked-in offer
Sites like Gazelle and BackMarket give you an instant quote for phones and tablets (BackMarket buys laptops, too), then pay after inspection — usually within a few days of receiving your device. Carrier and retailer trade-in programs can be faster if you can walk into a store, though they often pay in store credit rather than cash.
Using an ecoATM kiosk is your quickest option if you can find one close by. You put your device in the machine, it examines it and gives you a quote. If you accept, the machine gives you a payout.
Whichever method you choose, wipe the device and remove account locks first, or the offer can be reduced or voided.
Typical speed: A few days after device is received if you send it in. Instant if you use ecoATM.
Typical cost: Just phone depreciation
10. Sell your gift cards
Exchange websites offer cash for gift cards. The site CardCash pays up to 92% of a card’s value, though many offers are likely to be less. 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.
Typical speed: Several days
Typical cost: 8% or more of card value at best
11. Sell stuff locally on Facebook Marketplace
Cash won't come as quickly as with a pawnshop, but you can list items for sale on Facebook Marketplace in just a few taps. 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.
Typical speed: Depends on desirability and price of item
Typical cost: Free to post and sell locally
» Explore more places to sell stuff online.
Approach payday loans with caution
Payday loans, and those advertised as no-credit-check installment loans, are high-cost borrowing options. 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.
» Need help paying bills ASAP? Use this quick-help tool
Meet MoneyNerd, your weekly news decoder
So much news. So little time. NerdWallet's new weekly newsletter makes sense of the headlines that affect your wallet.
