For those of us without any extensive savings, financial emergencies are an unfortunate fact of life. Whether it’s an unexpected dental emergency, a house repair that you can’t go without, or unexpected legal proceedings, there are countless situations where we can find ourselves in need of a bit of extra cash, and fast. A 3 month loan application may be the solution you turn to in an emergency; however we’ve pulled together a list of a few alternatives that you could consider.
Pawn Something
It’s easy to jump to the ‘sell something’ conclusion when it comes to needing money, but it’s hardly uncommon to find ourselves reluctant to part with some of our most prized possessions no matter how much money they could bring in – this is where pawning comes in. The use of pawn shops isn’t something that everyone is comfortable with, but if you’re in need of cash and know that you’ll be able to pay it back by your next pay day, then pawning valuables can be a great way to get some cash fast. This option can come with high levels of interest, especially if you fail to meet the payment date, but if you pay on time you’ll have your items back with no trouble at all.
Sell Your Plasma
We’ve all heard of donating blood, but did you know that you can actually sell plasma? Donation centres will often pay upwards of £20/$25 for your plasma, which is just like giving blood for you but with a cash incentive! It’s important to note, however, that donating your blood is completely different in the sense that you will not get paid to do this. Make sure you’re clear from the very start just what it is you’re intending to do, and that you do thorough research into the donation centre you’re intending to visit.
Get Part Time Work
Of course, getting another job isn’t always possible for everybody, but with the likes of Uber and Deliveroo revolutionising how we travel and eat, the job opportunities here are endless. The best part? You can be flexible. If you have a full time job, but need extra money fast, you can sign up for Uber or Deliveroo and work when it suits you. If you want to head out on your bike or in your car on weekends, you can do exactly that and earn money while you’re doing so.
Become A Secret Shopper
This one can often take a little longer, but if you have some time to spare, becoming a secret shopper can be an effective but fun way to get some extra cash. A secret shopper is essentially someone posing as a shopper at local stores, shops, restaurants and more, and all you have to do is provide feedback on your experience. Most companies will pay you for the privilege, and even give you back money on items you’ve bought while letting you keep them! There are scams around, however, so be careful!
Rent Out A Room
Travelling is an industry full of people on a budget and if you have a spare room, you can cash in on the busy market. Airbnb, for example, is making it easier than ever for travellers to find cheap places to stay, and homeowners to utilise the spare space that they have. While this can seem dangerous considering you’re allowing a stranger into your home, most of these sites have an extensive review process, so you can only accept those who are known to be trustworthy if you so choose.
Finding ourselves in financial difficulty can often leave us feeling drained of money, motivation, and often of a good mood. However, the world is full of different ways to earn a bit of extra cash, and while some are faster than others, we hope that our list has given you the perfect starting point.
