By If you are strapped for cash and looking for ways to make money online or offline so that you can pay rent on time, you’re probably searching for ways to get money fast. Either by some kind of loan or a trick to make a few extra bucks here and there, you can get yourself out of a hole.
There are a lot of different options available to you, but all of them offer you an opportunity to make extra cash, avoid late fees, and avoid those dreaded conversations with your landlord about why your rent check still isn’t in the mail.
Sell Loose Gift Cards for Cash
Did you know that you can use those old gift cards lying around in your kitchen cupboard to make some cold hard cash? You can instantly convert most gift cards into cash through several websites online. The site Gift Card Granny is an online marketplace that allows gift card owners to sell their cards to the buyers that offers the best price.
In most cases, you will exchange your card for cash that will be deposited in your PayPal account. If you already have a PayPal account set up, you can transfer the money you make to your bank account in 24 hours.
Take Out a Credit Card Cash Advance
If you are in good standing with your credit card company, you can take out a credit card cash advance that will help you get out of a title spot. One great aspect of this option is that just like other credit card purchases, a credit card cash advance can end up in your account almost immediately. After you take out a cash advance, your lender will make their money back by charging fees and interest rates.
Start Driving Uber or Lyft
If you own a car that is up to the standards of these two incredibly popular ride-sharing apps, you can make a ton of money during your free time by being a contracted employee. On top of that, Uber and Lyft have both been known to offer sizable bonuses to new drivers who meet a certain standard within their first few weeks of working for the company. If you work hard to meet that mark, you can start make a lot of extra cash in a very short period of time.
Take Out a Car Title Loan
A car title loan can be a great way for you to get your hand on some money in just a few hours. It’s a risky loan, and only appropriate for a short duration and precautions should be taken to ensure you are able to pay this loan off in time. A title loan is a secured loan where you borrow money from a lender against the value of your car and the equity you have in your car.
These loans are a great option for you if you do not have great credit, but do have a clean car title.
The value of a car title loan general is between $100 and $5,000, but they can go much higher depending on the value of your car. More than enough to cover rent for the month.
Car title loans are easily accessible online from a number of different online lenders, and you can provide all of the documents necessary, and even prove the value of your car online. The downside of car title loans is that they do come with very high interest rates and annual percentage rates. The common payment term for car title loans is just one month, so if you are unable to pay back your loan within that time period, you could default on your loan and having your car repossessed by the lender you borrowed from.
Reach Out to Local Charities
This option might force you to swallow a bit of your pride, but if you’re really in financial trouble and if you’re truly worried that you might be late on rent, and be evicted as a result, you should take advantage of all possible options.
Now is not the time to be ashamed about asking for help. Reach out to local organizations that could offer a helping hand. For example, the United Way offers a free service called 2-1-1 which connects those in need to local groups that offer rent, utility, and housing assistance. In most areas, you can dial 2-1-1 to confidentially speak to a trained professional who could help ease the burden. You can also visit their website online to get more information.
Payday Loan
If your back is against the wall and you need cash fast, a payday loan is what some people go for, and has the benefit of being a fast way to obtain cash. Still, there are things to keep in mind when you are considering taking out a payday loan.
First off, payday loans are typically only worth to up to $500 – so they probably won’t cover the entire cost of rent for a month unless you live in a cheaper rent area. Secondly, it is important to know that after you get the cash, the payment term is quite shorts and you’ll have to pay back the value of the loan, plus a very high interest rate, by the end of your term. While payday loans certainly have their downsides, the upside of the loans is that they can be very easy to get and typically only require proof of income for you to be approved.
Get Cash by Donating Plasma
This may seem like a drastic option, but think about it: you can donate plasma, make some extra cash, and help your local medical community all in the same process. In most cases, individuals can make around $40 by donating plasma, and physicians say that you can donate plasma about two times a week.
Before you are eligible to donate, you will most likely have to go through a health evaluation. If you have a health insurance cover, that will make it a lot more easy. Beyond that, it is important to know that most people become fatigued after donating so it is important to bring a snack for later and, if possible, get a ride home from someone.
