We all know what it feels like to be short on cash, need money, and to be staring at a mountain of bills or facing an emergency. Regardless of how much we plan or save, we all can experience tough times and be short on money. Things like emergency expenses and job loss can put us in a tight financial spot. This can put your ability to save money and pay for life’s necessities in jeopardy. And having bad credit can make it even more difficult to borrow cash now. Read on if you’ve recently said to yourself “I need money now!”
You may be broke, but those bills don’t care if you need money or not. The problem is simple to identify, but not so easy to fix: You need money. Luckily, CreditNinja has the info you need to get fast money today, for all your unplanned emergencies.
Below, we’ll share a few options that may help you get cash when you need money fast. No matter which option you choose for fast cash, remember that it’s crucial to do plenty of research on the loan and lender. Just because you need money fast doesn’t mean you should choose an untrustworthy lender.
#1 Fast Cash Loan Options
Credit Unions With Decent Interest Rates
Credit unions are not-for-profit financial institutions that provide services that a commercial bank may usually offer. If you’re able to join a credit union, they may be able to help even if you have bad credit right now. They operate in a similar fashion to banks so you’ll likely find loans, credit cards, and other financial products. Whether or not they can offer you quick cash when you need money today will depend on the specific credit union and your financial history. If you want to get money now from a credit union, you’ll first need to find one that will allow you to be a member.
If you’re a member of a credit union, you may already be aware of the advantages they offer. Particularly, in offering low-interest rate loans when you need money now.
They will require a loan application process like a bank, regardless of the amount of money you need. But credit unions pay less attention to your credit score and tend to focus more on your money needs. They look at things like your annual income and credit history when considering approval. Which means you may get approved regardless of a low credit score.
When approved, you may get your cash loans from credit unions in just a couple of days depending on what you need. So if you need to get funds now and you can’t wait a day or two, this might not be the option for you.
A credit union will likely have an application and approval process that might make it unlikely to get cash immediately if you need cash now. In addition, not everyone can become a member of a credit union. Credit unions base membership on different criteria like where you live, the church you attend, whether you’re a part of a labor union, or other factors. Try to find a credit union close to where you live and reach out to see if they will allow you to join.
If you are eligible for membership—whether it’s through work, labor union, or family—you may want to consider joining a credit union today. In addition to short-term loans, they are great financing options for purchases like cars, homes, or when you need money. If you are eligible for one, you may be able to get good short-term loans from a credit union.
Keep in mind that it’s not a guarantee that you’ll get approved for a membership or for a fast loan either. If you can’t get cash now from a credit union, you’ll need to research to find another way to get money now.
Credit Card Cash Advance for Poor Credit
If you have a credit card, turning credit into cash can be as easy as going to an ATM and taking money out. Most credit card companies offer cash advances to their customers. This can be accessed just about anywhere you can withdraw money out of a bank account. Many banks will also allow you to transfer cash from your credit card account into your checking account online, when you need money fast.
Be aware that the interest rates on cash advances tend to be higher than the interest rates on regular credit card purchases. They also typically have limits on the amount of money you can withdraw. It is also very important that you don’t take a cash advance that will overdraw your maximum amount of credit; that action could result in additional fees on top of the ones already associated with the advance.
But if you need money quickly, have decent credit, and you can pay it back quickly, this could be a good option. Many credit card users utilize this option when they need money now. You can transfer the balance online or use an ATM to get money today.
Home Equity Loans and HELOC Lenders
If you are a homeowner and need money fast, you might consider selling your home for money. But before you hang a “For Sale” sign, you might want to explore a couple of other options. Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOC) may be better options for when you need money now.
Home equity is the difference between the amount of money a person owes and the value of the home itself. Suppose someone buys a house with a $100,000 mortgage loan. Over time, the value of that house increases to $150,000. The equity in their home is $50,000. This may allow you to take a loan out from that equity, but might not be the best option if you need money right now. Because this option can take some time, it isn’t usually a good choice when you need money today. If you desperately need money, you can likely find a faster option.
Because it’s secured by the property, you can sometimes get one with a lower interest rate than many other loans. The funds are dispersed in a lump sum of money, with a repayment schedule attached. When approved, these loans usually take only two to four days to deposit. But for someone who needs money desperately, this may be too long.
On the other hand, a HELOC treats that same $50,000 as a line of credit. Instead of taking the entire amount of money, the homeowner can access only as much of these funds as they need to.
Interest rates on home equity loans and HELOCs may be fixed for years and then feature variable rates. Their ability to help you carefully manage your money and investment makes HELOCs great options for people experiencing short-term financial problems.
When looking at maximizing your home’s equity, it’s important that you have an understanding of your home’s monetary value. Research the value of your neighborhood, see what homes in your area are selling for, and get an updated appraisal. Because you might be able to make money from your house without even realizing it.
Payday loan for Poor Credit (Often High Interest Rates)
A payday loan—also known as a payday advance—is a short-term loan that offers money to help you with a short-term financial problem. They’re designed to help borrowers stretch their money to the next paycheck when in need. Payday loans can get you money fast, but they come with several risks.
A payday loan involves writing a check to a lender for the amount of money you want to borrow—plus fees and interest. The lender then advances you the money immediately—via cash or electronic transfer—so that you can spend money now.
The lender holds the check and then cashes the check on or after the borrower’s payday. Payday lenders also operate online, and usually only need a valid ID, checking account, and proof of income to apply. While they might be an easy way to get money right away, they can also get you into more trouble than they’re worth. If you can, try to find a safer way to fulfill your money needs.
Despite the simple access to payday loans for money, there are a couple of steadfast characteristics that consumers need to understand:
They have higher interest rates than other personal loans.
Since they don’t require the borrower to put up any collateral (like a home, car, or other items of monetary value) to secure it, payday loans tend to carry higher interest rates. For virtually everyone who uses them, payday loans will be expensive, and will only offer a very short repayment period. This makes them difficult for the borrower, while the lenders will make money easily and frequently.
Payday lenders can have complex terms and conditions.
Like any other loan, payday loans are issued with a specific loan term, or the amount of time the lender gives the borrower to pay the loan back. Those terms can also be adjusted to allow the borrower to pay back the loan in installments over a fixed period of time. If the borrower cannot adhere to the lending terms and isn’t able to repay the loan on time, the lender will roll over the loan into a new agreement, which will add more fees and interest that will increase the amount of money the lender will earn.
For those that may have experienced financial setbacks in the past, a payday loan can be a lifeline for people that can’t turn to banks, credit advances, or other traditional lending options for help. But it’s important to be familiar with the risks associated with them before you get money using one.
The approval process for payday loans doesn’t typically require a credit check, which gives people with bad credit who need money more of a chance to get the cash they need.
Payday loans are highly accessible and are becoming better regulated to make fees and terms easy to identify and understand. If a payday loan is right for you, make sure you take the time to review your options and learn all the details that you can before (carefully!) borrowing money.
#2 Options to Make Fast Cash Without Getting a Loan
If you want to avoid repayment schedules, loan terms, and interest, then getting a loan of any kind may not be the best option for you. Lots of people have an understandable hesitation about creating more debt in order to get out of debt. While earning the money you need is going to take more work than borrowing it, there are a few things you can do to get cash fast. And you’ll likely find that when you earn the money you get, it’s safer and feels better.
Sell, Sell, Sell Your Stuff for Money!
Your need for fast cash may be just the motivation you need to finally get that garage sale organized! There could be tons of treasures and money hidden in the stuff you just don’t want anymore, which makes selling your old, unwanted stuff one of the most profitable things you can do—after all, taking your unwanted things and selling them on your lawn requires no overhead cost or credit check! This is a great way to earn a little bit of money.
If you are without a lawn (or any patience for haggling hordes of neighbors), there are less labor-intensive ways to start making cash.
Bag up your old clothes and take them to your nearest consignment shop, where they’ll sell any of your clothes for you (for a small share of the profit, of course). You never know; that old sweater you’ve been holding onto for years may just be the must-have vintage look of the season! And if you can make money with old clothes, why wouldn’t you?
If you have old phones, tablets, gaming consoles, or laptops, you can sell them online on sites like eBay, Swappa, or Facebook Marketplace. To get same-day cash for electronics or other items like jewelry, you might want to consider pawning them at a local pawn shop. But there are risks associated with this option.
Instead of selling your things outright, pawn shops will lend you the cash value of your item, and will just keep the item as collateral. If you don’t repay the loan or its fees, the shop will keep your item and sell it to recover the money. So if it’s an item you don’t want to lose, be very careful. If you don’t mind losing it on the other hand, this could be a good way to get money.
Hustle Hard With a Side Gig (Might Even Be Able to Work from Home)
Employment from a part-time job is how most people quickly fill their pockets with the extra cash that they need without disclosing their credit. Places like warehouses, grocery stores, and restaurants often hire within the same week or even the same day. Some offer flexible hours and evening shifts that can complement your full-time job.
If you have a reliable car, rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are always looking for drivers to partner with and might be a good cash option. They offer an opportunity to work whenever you want (somebody is always looking for a ride somewhere and doesn’t care about your credit!). Many people who take that route also sign up with food delivery companies to maximize their time on the road. It might be hard work, but jobs like these may allow you to get money when you need it.
There are also tons of opportunities for skilled professionals to work from home and take their skills to the open market as a freelancer, working with private clients on various projects. For example, a chef may offer private in-home catering, or a journalist may work as a copywriting consultant. If you can find a way to use your skills to get extra cash, it’s always advised.
Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and TaskRabbit are full of jobs that require dozens of special skills and certifications and allow freelancers to connect with clients to build long-term and lucrative relationships. The opportunity to make money on apps like these is widespread.
And don’t forget: Even in our high-tech, super-connected age, some people still have trouble finding someone to do those odd jobs: move furniture, walk their dog, dog sitter, or help with errands running or tasks around the house.
Sit down and make a list of all the things you can do right now, and then reach out to your neighbors and social media networks to see if they could use your assistance. With a little self-promotion, you could fill those helping hands of yours with some much-needed quick money.
#3 Ask, and You May Receive Money
Crowdfunding—the act of raising money through small donations from a large audience of supporters—has become increasingly popular in recent years. They were once used to start small businesses and raise funds for charitable causes. Now, sites like GoFundMe and Plumfund give people the opportunity to help each other out without a personal loan. You can send money to cover bills, rent, and unexpected medical expenses, or emergency car or home repairs.
When taking this route, make sure that you do some research to see how others solicit donations for online “cash now” type posts. The most successful crowdfunding campaigns share specific goals for their donations. They also effectively use social media, and keep their message simple, honest, and personal.
Additionally, organizations in local communities offer assistance to people who need money for an emergency, rent, groceries, and utility payments. Right now, do a simple search for hardship assistance in your area could provide not only immediate relief but can point you to resources for job searches and educational opportunities.
I Need Money Now: The Bottom Line
Sometimes, life presents unexpected challenges that bring unexpected hardships. As you find a path through your short-term financial problems, remember that access to quick cash or cash advances comes complete with lasting consequences depending on where you get them. Especially if you already have bad credit. Several of the options that can provide money today may also come with financial consequences.
But, if you make yourself fully aware of those consequences and meet them with strong financial planning tactics, you can guarantee that your temporary need for cash won’t hinder you from building your future or credit rating. And if you find yourself saying “I need money now,” try any one of these solutions to get the cash you need.
References:
7 Smart Ways to Raise Cash Fast