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7 Easy Ways to Get Cash Now

7 Easy Ways to Get Cash Now

Looking for easy ways to get cash now? I’ve been there… and today, I’m going to share my seven favorite strategies for getting cash in a hurry. 

Start with sales. 

Selling stuff is the easiest and fastest way to make money. If you need cash in your hands today, the easiest way to make it happen is to list spare electronics or other belongings on secondhand marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and OfferUp. 

Don’t bother with sites like Ebay, because that will take longer to set up and you’ll have to wait and ship the item. If you’re looking for easy ways to get cash now, stick with local sites like Facebook Marketplace to get the job done. 

For tips on how to sell items quickly, visit our Quick & Easy Sales Guide.

Trade gift cards for cash. 

Sites like Cardpool will give you instant cash for gift cards. The amount of cash you receive will usually be less than the full amount of the gift card. I believe Cardpool pays between 85% to 92% of the card’s value. Although you’re technically losing some of the balance, it can help you convert niche gift cards into cash that can be used anywhere. 

Use a rewarded shopping app like Ibotta. 

If you need cash, try a new rewarded shopping app! Many of our subscribers have made money on Ibotta. Just use the app when you’re doing your regular shopping, and you can earn cash back on your purchases.

This is especially helpful for new users who need to get cash now, because Ibotta offers a generous welcome bonus.

They also have “any receipt” deals that can give you cash back no matter what you’ve purchased. If you need money, I highly recommend shopping with Ibotta. You can even use this app to get cash back on your food stamps purchases!

Claim your unclaimed funds. 

This one isn’t so instant but it is still very helpful. States are holding on to billions of dollars in unclaimed cash from utility deposits, lost rebate checks, insurance payouts, old bank balances, unused gift cards and more. Each state maintains its own database, but you can get started claiming your unclaimed funds at LowIncomeRelief.com/unclaimed-money.

Ask for forbearance. 

If you need cash now and you don’t have enough to cover all of your expenses, you can contact the people you owe and ask for forbearance. It isn’t quite the same as putting cash in your pocket, but it can free up the money you already have. For example, when our vehicle broke down a few years ago, I was able to postpone our utility bills and our auto insurance for one month so that we could use the money to pay for the car repair. 

Get a pawn shop loan. 

Pawn shops are dangerous places, so use exceeding caution when you do this. These shops usually don’t expect you to actually repay the loan, so they make their money by paying you as little as possible and then selling the item for far more. While it’s an easy way to get cash now, it’s not often your most efficient option.

Use pawn shop loans with great caution. You should never pawn something that you aren’t willing to lose, so I would always recommend selling the item yourself first so that you can pocket more of the money. If you have to pawn something, it’s generally better to risk losing it to a pawn shop than risk destroying your credit with a payday loan. 

If absolutely necessary, try payday loans. 

Payday loan companies are notoriously predatory. However, if you absolutely need to have the money today and you can’t wait, and you can’t make anything else work… a payday loan can work in a pinch. 

Payday loans are short-term loans that are supposed to be paid out of your next paycheck. However, that very rarely happens because most people can’t afford to repay them. According to the Consumer Federation of America, payday loans often have an Annual Percentage Rate of 400% or more. That’s insane and very difficult to repay… and if you can’t repay it, you’ll end up hurting your credit terribly and that can cause you more financial trouble down the line. 

I do not recommend getting payday loans. I’ve done it in the past and it almost always ends in disaster… but again, it’s a reliable option if you need the cash today.

Nicole is the owner and lead researcher for Low Income Relief. She has over 20 years of professional research and writing experience, and she has been solely dedicated to investigating low income topics for the last 10 years. Nicole started Low Income Relief after a personal experience with poverty. When her husband was medically discharged from the US Army, their family experienced tremendous financial hardship. Nicole was able to gather help from multiple community agencies and move into a nearby low income housing unit in just two weeks! Since then, Nicole has been dedicated to helping low income families in crisis. She regularly spends hundreds of hours combing through countless resources to make sure that Low Income Relief has the most comprehensive and complete resource directories on the internet today. Prior to starting Low Income Relief, Nicole worked as a novelist, journalist, ghostwriter and content creator. Her work has been featured in various print and online publications, including USA Today, The Daily Herald, The Chronicle and more. Her work has also been featured by Google for Publishers and other leading industry publications.

Christine McQuietor

Wednesday 23rd of August 2023

I live in Florida I lost my SSi this past January, I lost my job and apt last month. I have appiled for some assistance and nothing has come through. so you know of ant grants to help me

Catherine Marucci

Wednesday 23rd of August 2023

Hi. Here are some resources. I hope some of them can help! https://lowincomerelief.com/what-are-the-4-types-of-homelessness/ - Cat

MonicA

Saturday 12th of November 2022

How do I use my EBT for cash?

Catherine Marucci

Sunday 13th of November 2022

Hi Monica. We wrote a couple of articles that should help answer your question: https://lowincomerelief.com/how-do-i-know-if-my-ebt-card-has-cash-benefits/ https://lowincomerelief.com/how-to-apply-for-ebt-cash-benefits/

Bellanucci

Wednesday 9th of March 2022

This may not be available for everyone but I've started donating plasma. Not all states and cities have plasma donor centers but I would suggest you do a google search "plasma donation (your city)".

Each center has a different incentive amount but I got $100 for the first 3 donations, then 80, then 70... you may want to call ahead and ask how much they offer.

I would also receommend to check their website or call the center and ask what the requirements are. Donors usually have to be 18-60 yrs old and there are other health requirements that may disqualify you.Good luck.

Julia

Thursday 17th of February 2022

I live in the rural Oregon coast range & so my commute to work & back is far. I am a recent widow with my late husband not having life insurance. I work very hard but am still well below the poverty level. Is there any grants or help in my area (97367) for auto repairs?

Isaac

Thursday 17th of February 2022

Information on this should be in the article above. Chat with Lira, she might be able to help! https://lowincomerelief.com/chat/

Claudia L Schlaak

Tuesday 16th of November 2021

I am retired and in desperate need to pay my property tax. Can anyone help?

Isaac

Thursday 18th of November 2021

Low Income Relief is an information service and does not provide cash or items directly. You will need to search our website for information about organizations that can help you meet those needs. Sorry!