We are not able to control everything that happens in our life. Layoffs happen, unexpected expenses happen, and we can find ourselves in a situation where we simply don’t have enough money to pay the bills. This has happened to millions over the past few years as we have gone through a pretty terrible recession that has left many without a job for an extended period of time. Even if you do have a job, it may not be covering all your expenses.
While we can cut expenses drastically, sometimes we need to make money to cover the bills. Heck, some people may just want to go out of town for a weekend but realize the money will have to come from somewhere else.
While some people have a luxury of pursuing side income, there are many others who need a more immediate cash inflow. While freelance writing and other side income sources can provide you with cash, there is no guarantee you will get a job for weeks and weeks, if not longer. Below are five ways that you can find a quick cash inflow.
1) Sell plasma
This is probably the most well-known “easy” way to get cash. There will always be a demand for plasma, and unless you do not qualify for whatever reason (i.e. if you got a tattoo in the past year you will not be able to pursue this income source) this should be a viable option for some quick cash.
2) Sell your stuff on eBay or Craigslist
Most people have stuff they don’t need. If you are behind on bills or need cash quick for some pressing financial concern, consider selling your stuff on eBay and Craigslist. Books, DVDs, furniture, games, clothes, whatever it may be consider listing them on eBay or seeing if someone responds to your posting on Craigslist.
3) Have a garage sale
Similar to selling on eBay and Craigslist, having a garage sale can give you an immediate cash infusion. Last time my parents had a garage sale I put out a bunch of my old clothes. I guess some lady bought up half of them and others took most of the rest, giving me $150 for stuff that I would have otherwise thrown out or donated. This could be a good option if you own a house. Anything you don’t sell at your garage sale you can put on eBay or Craigslist. If you don’t have a house, you will have to stick with eBay and Craigslist.
4) Take on a night or weekend job in the retail or service industry
In the retail and service industry there is constant turnover. There also are many hours available at night and on weekends to cater to the 9-5 crowd. If you have already started a career and find yourself out of work, or currently work a 9-5 job, going to work in a stressful and customer-service oriented job at night or on the weekends may not seem appealing to you. Nevertheless, If you really need the cash or have some aggressive saving/debt pay down goals you will seriously consider this option.
I used to read a blog written by someone who, in order to get completely out of debt, worked as a pizza delivery driver at night. He still worked his regular job while doing this and, believe it or not, had a wife and kids.
____________
While there are certainly other ways to make cash quick, these are four ways that you can start padding your income (or start bringing in some income) to help you pay bills, pay down debt, or address some other immediate financial concern. For some additional suggestions check out the Penny Hoarder’s 25 Ways to Make Money in the Next Hour
Check out DC’s new book Hustle Away Debt to learn everything you wanted to know about making money through side hustles!
What other suggestions do you have for making cash quickly (and legally!)?
____________
Photo by zoetnet
Check out some of our favorite personal finance resources:
Are you getting the best credit card rewards? Check out the top cash back credit card offers (updated daily)
Make extra money: 15 ways to make money from your computer
Get the First Chapter Free!
Join our online community and get the first chapter of the book Student Loan Solution absolutely FREE!
Greg and I went to sell plasma once when we were dating. We were trying to raise money for our wedding at the time and thought it wouldn’t b a big deal to sell plasma a few times. When we got to the lab, there was a line of questionable looking people winding around the building outside. We quickly changed our minds!
@Holly at ClubThrifty Yes that is the big negative to giving plasma ;) It also can be rough on your body. I haven’t done it personally but know a few others who have.
I think I have done all of these but #3. I sold plasma for a few months while in college and always felt dirty for doing so, but it was some good cash for me then. We’re actually going to be selling a bunch of stuff on CL in the next month or so, so hopefully we’ll get the house cleaned out and make a little extra cash to boot.
@FrugalRules Haha you felt dirty? I actually haven’t given plasma so I guess I don’t fully know what it’s like. We are going to have a garage sale in a couple months here as well as sell some of the nicer stuff on eBay or Craigslist (we have some brand new items we won in giveaways that we can probably get more selling online vs. a garage sale).
I think craigslist is probably the fastest way… just make sure you don’t get scammed :) Other quick ways include working some overtime at work if you’re hourly and can get an extra shift or two :)
@Money Life and More Certainly if you are hourly that’s an option! If you have a full-time job that’s not really an option a lot of the time. It’s also hard to get scammed on Craigslist if you are selling, since you have more control over the situation/sale.
These are all great ways to make cash fast. If it were me, I would find things to sell in our house, we have too much stuff!
@SenseofCents Same!
If you are really desperate and don’t care about the possibility of having offspring running around not knowing you, then you can donate your sperm as well. I have never done it, but I had a friend that did it quite often.
@DebtRoundUp I’d be interested in hearing how much he made, for curiosity’s sake.
@DC @ Young Adult Money That I do not know, but it depends on where you donate.
@DebtRoundUp Fair enough, always wondered how much ppl were compensated.
We usually throw together a yard sale if we want to make some quick cash. It is amazing what you can find to sell in your house!
@ayoungpro Yeah most people have stuff they don’t need.
These are great tips. It is amazing how much money you can make by just selling some of the stuff you don’t use on craigslist. Every $5 counts (if you desperately need it).
I know this technically isn’t making money, but having an emergency fund would give you money ASAP if you needed it. That is why I think a decent emergency fund is essential at any point in life. Then hopefully you don’t have to resort to these methods (or these methods are just “extra” money).
@CommonCentsWealth Yes, this article is directed at people who have no emergency fund or have already burned through it, but I appreciate your point : )
If you’re good at customer service and can handle multitasking you can make good money waiting tables or tending bar. I have friends who make $200 in four hours on a Friday and Sat night.
Sure you lose weekends, but if you need the money it can be worthwhile.
@JustinatTheFrugalPath My sister used to waitress and made very good money on Friday and Saturday. The drivers at the Pizza Hut I worked at in high school made $100+ in tips (not counting their hourly wage) on Friday and Saturday nights.
I have a listing on Ebay right now! If I was broke, I would certainly do any of these things to get ahead of the game. I have a friend who transcribes customer service calls from home. You know when you hear the message that this call may be recorded for customer service? She listens to those and makes decent money. There are a number of extra ways to earn money if you are motivated enough.
@Eyesonthedollar Very interesting about transcribing customer service calls, I had not heard of that! I agree, though, that if you are motivated there are quite a few ways to make extra money.
Oh David, you’ve hit on one of my passions here! (I compiled a list of 20 of these bad boys a little while ago – but hadn’t included selling plasma… good call!)
Some of the ones I really like are:
if you’re at all wordy – editing and proofreading. If you live in a college town around mid-terms or the end of semester, you can make a killing in a few weeks.
Dog walking and poop scooping. Especially poop scooping.
Cleaning. Someone will always be willing to pay for cleaning. (I once made $40 teaching a classmate how to clean his bathroom, and kitchen – he had no idea, and his folks were coming to visit, poor lamb.)
Driving. People buy stuff on craigslist and need a pickup or drop-off. of the goods.
@Eyesonthedollar – I’d never heard of transcribing CS calls either – do you have any resources about that? Sounds fascinating.
Fiverr is a great place to make some extra cash and it’s so versatile too – things like bodvertising and selling drawings/portraits are really profitable (provided you draw better stick-men than me!) for those getting involved. A great place to make money if you’ve got some unusual talents to market.
Daniel
Last week, I washed my car with my two sons, 3 and 1 year old. They didn’t help much at all, but it was a good play time while saving $12. Nothing big, but I plan to do it again on my next car wash. Kids are all excited.
DHilsden I’ve heard really good things about Fiverr, definitely a good option for some people.
Become a stripper. =) It’s legal, lucrative, and working in the right club, fun.
Yep, have to try the eBay thing I have over $500 in shoes just taking up closet space.
Making money is very good hhhhhh , i like this so mush