Where to Find Cash When You Need it Fast

When an unexpected illness or car repair leaves you strapped for cash, it can be frustrating and stressful. You need to get funds immediately to deal with the situation, but you may not know where to go for fast relief. It may surprise you to learn that there are actually several sources for cash when life throws you a curve ball. Before you start digging through the sofa cushions, consider these other options for getting money you need.

1. Scrap Metal

It’s true that you cannot get something for nothing, but you can get cash for scrap metal. Start by searching around your home and property for any metal that can be taken to the local recycling center. Take the bag of empty aluminum cans or the old cot frame that sags and needs to be disposed of. While you won’t get much for steel, you can get a pretty penny for shiny copper and aluminum. If you have a truck, take a drive around town to see if people have pieces of metal, old bikes, exercise equipment and old hot water tanks sitting in their garbage. You can pick up the trash and turn it into treasure by selling it for the scrap value.

2. Craigslist

Take a spin through your house and find items you are ready to sell. You can post anything on Craigslist from a chair nobody uses to the old camper that hasn’t left your yard in eight years. Be honest with yourself about whether you will ever use the item again. If it’s not being used, put it up on Craigslist at a reasonable price and watch the calls roll in. Clean the item and take a picture of it to include with the posting. Between the picture and the right price, you shouldn’t have any problem attracting buyers.

3. Pawn Shops

The issue with pawning most items is that you will get less at the pawn shop than you would through Craigslist. However, pawn shops do provide you with a chance to get your merchandise back at a later time. Instead of selling your items, ask for a loan using the merchandise as collateral. You can get the cash you need without sacrificing your personal property.

4. Payday Loans

These loans are a smart choice if the fees involved will be lower than the penalties you face without it. A great example is when you are a little short for the rent payment. If your landlord has a late fee of $20 dollars a day, then a payday loan is the smart choice. However, you should be cautious about taking the loans. If you don’t set the money aside to pay them back, then you could be facing another financial emergency when the loan comes due.

5. Odd Jobs

Once you have searched through the sofa cushions and sold the unused items in your house, it might be time to consider doing odd jobs for people. Using Craigslist, you can advertise your services for anything from washing cars to running errands and cutting the grass. You may wind up helping an elderly person clean their garage out, but you will also get the cash you need to deal with your emergency.

There is always a way to find more money when you need it. If you approach the problem with the right attitude, then you can also declutter and improve your home in the process. Before you consider selling your blood or borrowing from the family, try doing odd jobs for people or scrapping metal. You will be surprised at how much extra money you can bring in, and it just might become a regular means of income for you.