Emergencies are the worst. They’re always unexpected and they create a substantial amount of unwanted stress. What’s more, emergencies can put you into a serious financial bind. Your car might die on you. You or a family member might get sick and need medical care. Know that you’re not alone. Plenty of people have been in your situation before. If you need money in an emergency situation, here are some of the fastest ways to go about it.
Sell Unused and Unwanted Stuff
There’s a good chance you have some stuff around your home or apartment that you just don’t use. Yet you’re still hanging onto it. Rather than let the stuff sit and collect dust, sell it and make some money. If you don’t have the time to organize a yard sale, there are many online sites that you can use to sell your stuff, including Letgo, Craig’s List, and Facebook. This option may not get you money as fast as you need it, though, so you may need to look into other options if you need money immediately.
Visit a Pawn Shop
If you have old jewelry lying around that you can bear to part with, consider taking it to a local pawn shop. Just be aware that the shop may try to undercut the value of the items you’re trying to get rid of. Be prepared to negotiate. Walk in confidently. If you appear desperate, there’s a greater chance the shop will try to take advantage of you.
Take Out a Personal Loan
If you’re really not comfortable asking friends or family for money, you could get a quick loan fast from The Loan Buddy. While some personal loans can take a while in order to get approved and get the money, there are some in which you can be approved and have the money in about 24 hours. It can be a great option if you have a good credit score. There are some lenders who give loans to those with less than ideal credit scores, but interest rates are typically higher.
Sell Gold or Silver
Another option is to go to a coin shop and sell gold or silver items, or items that have gold or silver in them. If you’re not sure whether or not what you have to sell is real, the shop can test it. Since the metals have to be extracted, you won’t get exactly what the item is worth. You can, however, research the current prices for gold and silver in order to figure out about how much you should be able to get for your items.
Sell Plasma
If you’re not afraid of needles, you could sell some plasma. Check for centers near you. You will have to fill out some forms and there may be a wait. You also won’t get very much (maybe around $40 or so). If you’re in need right now, though, this option may be able to help.
Take on Some Extra Work
Even if you have a full-time job, there’s nothing with picking up some extra work. There are plenty of people out there willing to pay for the things they don’t want to do. You can run errands, do manual labor, or take someone’s dogs for a walk. If you have some time to earn the money you need, you can also consider signing up to drive for Uber or Lyft. With these apps, you drive people where they need to go using your own car.
Consider a Home Equity Loan
If you need a more significant amount of money, and you own your home, you might consider a home equity loan. This is a loan in which you borrow against the equity of your home. Interest rates are typically on the lower side because the loan is secured. Bear in mind, however, that if you fail to make payments, and don’t repay the loan on time, it could cost you your house.
Borrow from Family or Friends
Going to family and friends when you’re in a financial bind isn’t exactly the most fun thing ever. You don’t want to have to ask for money, and there’s a good chance they might not feel comfortable lending it. This is always an option, though, especially if you need the money quickly. If it makes the both of you feel better, draft up a repayment agreement and sign it.
Emergencies are bad enough. When you have one that leaves you suddenly strapped for cash, things can get a bit overwhelming. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to earn some extra money fast to help you through the tough times and get you back to normal.
