People have started crowdfunding campaigns for some of the craziest things on websites like Kickstarter. For example, in 2014, user Zack Brown simply wanted $10 to buy ingredients to make a potato salad. For some reason, the campaign ended up earning him over $55,000 with over 6,900 backers! I guess that’s one success story of what you can do when you need money desperately.

Unfortunately, getting money fast isn’t always as easy as asking for money online to fund your potato salad. Even with some money in the bank, you might still find yourself in need of money desperately. If, for whatever reason, you find yourself in that kind of situation, here’s what to do:

Figure out what you can live without

Before doing anything drastic, you must first identify if you really need that money. You might realize that you have the funds but are spending them elsewhere. You can skip dining out for a few days to save cash if you need a relatively small amount, like $50-$100.

Even your girls’ nights can be completely free. Here’s my list of the best free things to do with friends for reference.

Rework your budget

Unfortunately, things get complicated the more money you need. You’ll have to rework your budget if you need a larger amount, like $1000. See where else you can cut corners, like spending less on utilities.

Downgrade your tech

If you’ve got something like an iPhone 11 or newer, you may want to consider pawning it. Most people don’t actually need the latest tech, and many older models can still hold up for general use. 

Sell your clutter

You might have knick-knacks and old books taking up shelf space and collecting dust. If they’re not doing anything for you, it might be time to part with them. Then you would have a bit of extra cash.

Sell your valuables

If you need money desperately, you might need to part ways with some jewelry. Necklaces, rings, earrings, and the like can fetch a nice price. This is especially true if you keep their receipt or authenticity papers.

Ask for a salary advance

If you’re friendly with your boss, you might consider asking for your next salary in advance. Otherwise, you might have to know how to negotiate.

You may also want a higher salary in general. Here’s my list of some of the best high-paying jobs that don’t require a degree.

Ask for some help from friends and family

In times of need, you can turn to your friends and family. There’s no shame in asking your loved ones for financial help–as long as you pay them back. If you’re doing this, you need to respect their financial boundaries if you want them to respect yours. You don’t want to be known as that family member who only talks to relatives when she needs money.

Become a secret shopper

Need money desperately, but feel like you’re only good at spending it? Get yourself a gig as a secret shopper! You’ll be paid to visit stores and rate them anonymously. This is for everything from their facilities to the services they provide. It can be a lucrative side hustle.

Donate your plasma

You can make some money fast by donating your blood. How much you can make will largely depend on your location and the rates of local donation centers. Before you even try, you have to make sure you’re eligible.

Start freelancing

Many people turn to freelance on the internet as a side hustle. If you have a skill like coding or writing, you can sell your services online for fast cash.

However, there may be other ways to earn cash. If you don’t know how to market yourself, it can take days, weeks, or even months to get your first freelancing gig. Instead, you might want to try the following:

Manual service jobs

These are more simple jobs that only need some time, certain skills, and physical labor. Some examples include:

Cleaning

Not everyone is willing to dedicate time to cleaning their house or car. Thankfully, they’re willing to pay others to clean them for them. Cleaning someone’s stuff can be a way to earn cash fast if you’ve got a free afternoon on your hands.

Dog walking

Good with animals? Many dog owners don’t always have the energy to walk their dogs–and that’s where you come in! Dog walking is a great way to test your animal handling skills while earning a bit of extra income.

Babysitting

If you know your way around children, being a babysitter is also another option. If you are good with the kid(s), you may even have their household as a repeat customer.

Lawnmowing

Got a neighbor whose lawn could use some cleaning up? Mowing their lawn for them could be a great way to help them out while also getting some extra cash.

Tutoring

If you’re good at a few subjects, like Math or History, and know how to handle kids, become a tutor. Becoming a regular tutor for someone’s kid may also give you a long-term side hustle.

Snow shoveling

Shoveling snow during the winter is an annoying task, but it’s also hazardous. During the -ber months, people will be looking for people to shovel snow for them. You can leverage this fact to earn extra cash during this time of year.

Uber driver

If you’ve got a car, becoming an Uber driver is also a great option for some fast cash. People are always looking to get places, and you can earn quite a bit of money this way.

Uber Eats Rider

If you don’t own a car or trust strangers to ride in yours, you can be an Uber Eats Rider. There’s quite a bit of money to be had delivering food, especially when considering tips. All you need is a bike or a strong pair of legs. 

Take out a loan

A loan can be a great way to get a large sum of money almost instantly. They’re especially useful if you suddenly need to make a big purchase, like a car or house.

However, this option is last on this list for a reason. Before even considering taking a loan, you need to have a plan for paying it back. When you need money desperately, you have to avoid being in debt as much as possible.

Ensure you never need to be in this situation again

Once you no longer need money desperately, you must ensure you never have this problem again. You can do this in several ways, like building your savings or eliminating debt.
That’s also why you have to join my money squad! It only takes a few seconds, and as a member, you’ll receive potentially life-changing financial tips every week. Sign up today!