When a bill is due before payday, the fastest fix isn’t one magic trick. It’s a stack of a few realistic moves so that money arrives today, tomorrow, or by the end of the week.
A tire may blow, the boiler might quit, or you may need money to pay rent tomorrow. Whatever the case, you’re suddenly wondering how to get quick cash. This guide shows how to respond fast: sell items locally for same-day cash, grab a quick gig like babysitting or pet sitting, deliver food or groceries for instant pay, or use a borrowing app for a short advance.
Key Takeaways
- Combine two or three fast moves for the quickest results.
- Sell valuable items and take on quick gigs for immediate income.
- Negotiate large bills to free up cash and avoid late fees.
- Use personal loans or borrowing apps only when other options fail.
- Use small top-ups, such as surveys or quick transcription, to cover minor shortfalls.
Fast Ways to Get Cash Now
If you’re asking yourself how to get quick cash, you’re not alone. But you’re also not out of options. Below are 12 different strategies for raising cash. If time is pressing, don’t try to find the perfect move, but rather opt for doing two or three of these at once.
1. Sell Your Stuff
If you need cash today, selling items is your quickest savior. Prioritize items that have a resale market and you can live without. Some examples include last-gen iPhones, laptops, and old furniture.
Take clear photos and create listings on eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. If you’re on a deadline, price your ad at the lower end of recently sold listings to make it the obvious choice.
2. Pawn Items
Pawnbrokers are built for instant cash. You hand over an item as collateral, and they hand you money. If you repay on schedule, you get the item back. If you don’t, they keep it.
Jewelry, watches, pro-quality tools, and electronics tend to draw the best offers. Bring proof of authenticity, such as receipts and certificates, and visit two shops if possible, as competition can be beneficial. If it’s a sentimental item you truly want back, borrow conservatively and put the repayment on your calendar the moment you leave the shop.
3. Babysit or Tutor for Cash Tonight
Childcare is a trust game, and trust pays quickly. If you’ve ever looked after kids for friends or family, text them first and offer your services for the upcoming days. You can also consider registering on trusted babysitting service websites, such as Care, UrbanSitter, and Sittercity. If you’re comfortable with homework help, consider offering a mini add-on of tutoring during the session.
Show up five minutes early, follow instructions exactly, and straighten the living room before you leave. Different cities and neighborhoods have different rates, so suggest a price that’s acceptable in that market, and you might have a few hundred dollars in your pocket by the end of the day.
4. Pet-Sit and Dog-Walk
Many people pay for walking and sitting with their pets while they’re at work. And some may pay a good sum for it. If you can host a dog overnight, that’s typically one of the highest yields for the least amount of time. Day visits and lunchtime walks can fill gaps around other gigs.
Apps like Rover and Wag quickly match you, and private clients can pay via local Facebook groups on the same day. The secret is to set clear boundaries, such as feeding and crate rules, and send a couple of happy-dog photos. You’re selling peace of mind as much as a service.
5. Deliver or Drive
Rideshare and delivery services shine in emergencies because they offer immediate payment. For instance, Uber’s Instant Pay lets approved and active drivers cash out up to six times per day for a small fee. Instacart’s Instant Cashout pushes funds in minutes, so you won’t have to wait a week for a payout.
If you’re brand new to this, plan for several business days for background checks before you can get started. Stack apps like food delivery plus groceries to reduce downtime, and chase short trips in dense areas. You’ll spend on fuel and wear and tear, but a focused four-hour block can quickly bridge a small cash shortfall.
6. Take Surveys Online
Surveys won’t replace a paycheck, but they’re surprisingly handy when a small bill is haunting you. Many people take surveys for money as a side job to earn fast cash. Create profiles on sites like Survey Junkie and Swagbucks, pick from available studies, and cash out to PayPal or your bank account once you hit the minimum threshold.
Online surveys typically pay between $0.50 and $5.00 per survey. First payments usually feel small, but once your accounts are set up, redemptions land more regularly. Build a five-to-ten-minute daily habit of opening your survey tabs and doing a few of them. If a survey asks you to start a paid trial or hand over card details, skip it. Legit surveys pay you, not the other way around.
7. Use Borrowing Apps
Money-borrowing apps let workers access cash before payday, but they don’t all work the same way. Earned-wage apps, like EarnIn, advance money based on hours you’ve already worked by verifying your payroll. Cash-advance apps, like Brigit or Dave, don’t track hours — they provide a small advance based on the income you expect to receive, often using your bank history to estimate what’s coming.
You can typically choose between instant transfer or next-day funding at a low or no cost. On payday, the app will automatically debit your bank or deduct from your paycheck, so you don’t juggle due dates. Use these apps sparingly, as you’re not taking on new long-term debt but simply shifting the calendar on income that’s already yours.
8. Take on a Transcription Gig
As an option to make money online, transcription pays you to turn audio into clear text. You take a short grammar test, pick files, and get paid based on the audio length. Beginner-friendly platforms include TranscribeMe (typically $15 to $22 per hour of audio) and Scribie ($5 to $20 per hour of audio).
Start with short, clear files to learn each site’s style guide, use text expanders for common phrases, and watch your effective hourly rate. If a clip is too noisy or full of crosstalk, skip it and choose cleaner work that pays faster.
9. Personal Loans
A personal loan gives you a lump sum to repay in fixed monthly installments over a set term. You can apply with a bank, credit union, or through online lenders. With online lenders, you can prequalify with a soft check to see the estimated APR and payment before accepting.
Because amounts and terms vary widely from lender to lender, you should borrow only the amount that solves your cash flow problem. Choose the shortest term you can comfortably afford so that interest doesn’t balloon. Watch for origination fees and ensure the total cost over the life of the loan remains reasonable.
The upside is predictability, as you know the payment, payoff date, and total cost from day one. On the other hand, the downside is the cost creep that occurs when a small expense is stretched over too many months. Typically, you need to have good credit standing, but some lenders might still consider you for bad credit loans, although at much higher interest rates.
10. Payday Loans (Cash Advances)
A payday loan advances a small amount, typically due in full on your next payday. It’s one of the fastest ways of obtaining a small sum like $300 loan quickly, but also one of the costliest. Approval is usually very quick, with minimal credit checks, and funding is often available on the same or next business day.
11. Borrow From Friends and Family
It’s okay to politely ask for money if you’re honest and organized. Approach a friend or family member and clearly explain your situation to them. Inform them of the exact amount you need and when you plan to repay it. While it may be uncomfortable, borrowing from friends or family avoids hefty interest fees. With the right approach and clear communication, it can be a straightforward solution. You can also put it in writing to be bound by it.
12. Negotiate Bills
Sometimes the solution to how to get money quickly is making sure money doesn’t leave your bank account. Call the most significant bill you owe this week, whether utility or mobile, and ask for a hardship plan or a one-month split payment. Companies are way more flexible before a late mark hits, and the call you make today can free $50 to $200 you can redeploy elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Get $100 Cash Quickly?
Sell small electronics or take a same-day gig like food delivery or babysitting. These options can often bring in $100 within hours.
Are Fast Cash Loans Legit?
If you live in a state where payday loans are legal, yes. But it’s always better to double-check the lender’s reputation online to be 100% sure you’re not falling for a scam. Remember that any online lender advertising “no credit check loans” or “guaranteed approval” should be avoided at all costs.
How to Borrow $500 Quickly?
Consider a small loan from an online lender or your local credit union, which can often be funded within a day or two.
Which Items Sell Fastest For Same-Day Money?
Recent phones, laptops, game consoles, power tools, and jewelry. List on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist with clear photos and a fair price.
Sources
- Federal Reserve System. “Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2024 – May 2025.” Federalreserve. Accessed August 20, 2025.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “What are the costs and fees for a payday loan?” CFPB. Accessed August 20, 2025.
- National Credit Union Administration. “Payday Alternative Loans.” MyCreditUnion. Accessed August 20, 2025.