Make Money Fast: 13 Real Ways to Find Quick Cash

If you need money right now, you may have to borrow some. But avoid payday loans and “fast cash” gimmicks that appear too good to be true.

Our list includes safer borrowing options and other ideas to earn and save.

1. Seek community loans and assistance

Local community organizations may offer 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.

2. 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%.

3. 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.

4. 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.

» MORE: NerdWallet's picks for best personal loans

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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Consolidate your debt

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

8. Pawn something

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

9. Sell something on Facebook Marketplace

Maybe you can sell unwanted items instead of borrowing money? You can easily list items for sale locally 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.

10. Walk or watch a dog

Community-focused side hustles can be a path to quicker 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 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.

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

If you’re behind on bills, you can try asking for help. 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

These "fast-cash" options come with a catch that ends up costing you.

Payday loans

Payday loans are short-term loans made to people who have a source of income and a bank account to be repaid in a lump sum. Interest is usually expressed as a “fee” — $10 to $30 per $100 borrowed is common. But a typical $15 fee on a two-week loan amounts to nearly 400% interest on an annual basis.

Payday installment loans

Available at stores and online, payday installment loans stretch repayment terms. You don’t need good credit; the products often are advertised as no-credit-check installment loans. But you typically must meet the requirements of a payday loan: a paycheck and a bank account. Interest charges hit hard over the long term: A $2,000, three-year loan at 400% APR will end up costing over $22,000 in interest.

Car title loans

These short-term loans — in places where they’re legal — require you to hand over the title to your vehicle as collateral for the debt. These loans are expensive, and the lender can seize your car if you don’t repay.

Credit-building payday loans

Most payday lenders don’t report on-time payments to the big credit bureaus, so there's little positive impact on your credit score, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.