In today’s economy, many of us need a quick financial boost. It could be for unexpected expenses, paying bills, or just treating ourselves. But finding easy money without risky methods can be tough. Get ready to learn about legit ways to get free cash.
Key Takeaways
- Discover legal and accessible ways to earn free cash when you need it most.
- Learn about the potential to earn up to $400 per offer and the thousands of available opportunities.
- Understand how you can earn between $0.50 to $120 per app by playing games or completing offers.
- Explore options to earn $1 per 5-10 minute survey and potentially cash out hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
- Uncover the strategies that have helped users earn over $700 to pay their bills and even $1,500 in just six months.
Sell Spare Electronics and Unwanted Items
One easy way to get free cash is by selling your spare electronics and unwanted items. Websites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist help you find local buyers easily. By decluttering your home and selling what you don’t need, you can turn clutter into cash quickly.
Platforms for Selling Electronics and Unwanted Items
There are many online places to sell your electronics and unused items for cash. Here are some top choices:
- Gizmogo: This site takes many electronics, like smartphones, laptops, tablets, and cameras. People like it for its easy use, good prices, and quick transactions.
- Decluttr: Decluttr lets you trade in items, from one product to up to 500, with a $5 minimum order.
- Swappa: Swappa takes a 3% commission and pays through PayPal.
- Gazelle: Gazelle pays you through PayPal, Amazon gift card, check, or cash at kiosks.
- eBay: eBay takes a commission of 3% to 15% and charges a $0.30 fee per order.
- Amazon Trade-In: Amazon gives you gift cards for trading in items, taking up to 10 business days.
- Apple Trade-In: Apple’s program offers store credit or online credit in 2-3 weeks, with gift cards as payment.
When selling your items, look at different platforms, compare prices, and pick the best one for you.
“I was amazed at how easy the process was. I got a great price for my old phone and the payment was in my account within a few days.” – Satisfied Gizmogo customer
Pawn Something Valuable
If you need cash fast, consider pawning valuable items like jewelry, electronics, or other possessions. Pawn shops will give you money based on what they think your item is worth. But remember, you’ll have to pay back the loan, usually with extra interest, to get your item back.
Jewelry, Electronics, and Other Valuables Accepted
Pawn shops take many valuable items, including:
- Jewelry, especially pieces with gold, diamonds, or platinum
- High-end electronics such as TVs, gaming consoles, laptops, and cameras
- Precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, and copper
- Gemstones such as rubies, amethyst, and sapphires
- Firearms (with proper registration and background checks)
- Power tools and equipment
- Antiques, collectibles, and artwork
- Musical instruments
- Sporting goods like bikes, snowboards, and fishing gear
- Rare coins and valuable collectibles
The cash you get from a pawn shop depends on the item’s value, condition, and demand. Pawn shops usually offer $100 to $500 for items. But, high-end products can get you $1,000 or more. Interest rates on pawn loans are between 10% to 20%. The repayment time is usually 30 to 90 days, based on the state.
Pawning is a quick and easy way to get cash without a credit check. Pawn shops like EZPAWN offer big savings on pre-owned, brand-name items. They also have a layaway option with a 10% downpayment. Plus, their Jewelry VIP Program gives 100% trade-in value on future jewelry purchases, making it a great choice for quick cash needs.
Work Gig Jobs for Fast Cash Today
Today, many people are turning to the gig economy for quick cash. Platforms like rideshare driving, food delivery, and task-based apps let you earn on your own time. These gig work for quick cash options are great for covering unexpected bills or saving up.
Rideshare Driving and Food Delivery
Rideshare driving with Uber can make you $15 to $25 an hour. That’s $120 to $200 for an eight-hour day. Food delivery apps like DoorDash pay between $14 to $25 an hour. You can earn $112 to $200 for a full shift.
Task-Based Apps
Task-based apps like Swagbucks, Instacart, and Amazon Mechanical Turk offer many gig jobs. You can do online surveys, shopping tasks, and micro jobs. Earnings range from $1 to $6.53 an hour.
The pay varies by location and demand, but these gig work for quick cash options are easy to use. They’re perfect for making extra money or getting a financial boost. The gig economy has something for everyone.
| Gig Work | Average Hourly Rate | Average Daily Earnings (8 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Uber Rideshare | $15 – $25 | $120 – $200 |
| DoorDash Food Delivery | $14 – $25 | $112 – $200 |
| Uber Delivery | $8 – $20 | $64 – $160 |
| Swagbucks | $1 – $5 | N/A |
| Instacart | $13.62 | N/A |
| Shipt | $11 – $20 | $88 – $160 |
| Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) | $1.77 – $6.53 | N/A |
| Local Bar/Restaurant Work | $14 – $16 | $112 – $128 |
Over a third of American adults, or 37%, have a side hustle. About 40% use this extra money for daily living costs. The average side hustle income is $686 a month. But, most side hustles make less than $200 a month.
“The gig economy has opened up a world of opportunities for those seeking quick cash and flexible work arrangements.”
Ask for Forbearance on Bills
If you’re facing a short-term financial crunch, you can ask for forbearance on your bills. This means asking your creditors to pause or reduce your payments. It can help free up cash when you need it most. The terms of forbearance may vary, but it can offer valuable temporary bill relief during tough times.
Many utility, phone, and cable companies have bill forbearance options for customers in financial trouble. Just reach out to them and explain your situation. They might agree to pause bill payments for a while without charging late fees or penalties.
Forbearance programs can be a big help when unexpected expenses or a loss of income make it hard to pay bills. Even though interest may keep adding up, the short-term relief can help you focus on other important bills. It can also prevent you from getting deeper into debt.
Always talk to your creditors early. By requesting bill forbearance before you fall behind, you might avoid late fees, higher interest rates, and harm to your credit score. With a bit of flexibility and understanding from your providers, you can get through tough times and bounce back stronger.
Request a Payroll Advance
If you need cash fast, think about asking your employer for a payroll advance. This lets you get a part of your wages before payday. It’s great for unexpected bills or if you want your money sooner.
Discuss Options with Your Employer
To get a payroll advance, talk to your employer about what they offer. Each company has its own rules for payroll advances. It’s key to know the details. Here are some things to think about:
- Maximum advance amount: Employers often set a limit on how much you can borrow based on your wages or a set amount.
- Repayment terms: You’ll usually pay back the advance on payday or through a plan over several pay periods.
- Fees or interest: Some employers charge a fee or interest for payroll advances.
- Eligibility requirements: You might need to meet certain criteria, like being employed for a certain time or having good attendance, to get a payroll advance.
Talking to your employer about payroll advances helps you see if it’s right for you. This way, you can make sure the terms fit your financial needs.
Use payroll advances wisely and only when really needed. They can affect your future paychecks. Always plan to pay back the advance fast to avoid financial trouble.
where can i get free cash from Side Hustles
Looking for extra cash? Side hustles are a great choice. You can try freelancing, online surveys, or selling products or services. These options let you earn extra in your free time. The amount you make depends on the side hustle and where you live. But, these can be a big help when you need it.
Freelance Work
Freelancing lets you use your skills for projects or tasks. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com help you find freelance work. You can work in writing, graphic design, web development, and more. Experienced freelancers can earn up to $16 an hour or more.
Online Surveys
Online surveys are an easy way to make money. Companies like UserTesting, Swagbucks, and SurveyJunkie pay you for sharing your thoughts on products and services. You might earn about $10 per survey, but it’s easy and flexible.
Sell Services or Products
If you have a special skill or talent, sell it online. Etsy lets you sell handmade or vintage items. Rover and Wag let you offer pet-sitting or dog-walking services. Some people even make over $4,000 a month by renting out a spare room on Airbnb.
Side hustles are a great way to make extra money and be more financially flexible. You can freelance, do online surveys, or sell products or services. Just pick something that fits your skills, interests, and schedule.
Borrow Against Life Insurance Policy
If you have a permanent life insurance policy with cash value, you can borrow against it for quick cash. This is called a policy loan. It lets you use the cash value in your life insurance plan. Policy loans have lower interest rates and don’t need a credit check.
Permanent life insurance, like whole or universal life, grows cash value over time. This cash can be used as collateral for a loan. You can borrow up to 90% of the cash value, with interest rates from 5% to 8%. These rates are often lower than personal loans or credit cards. Plus, these loans are usually tax-free if you pay them back or keep the policy active.
| Loan Type | Interest Rate | Credit Check Required |
|---|---|---|
| Life Insurance Policy Loan | 5% – 8% | No |
| Personal Loan | 10% – 30% | Yes |
| Credit Card Cash Advance | 15% – 25% | No |
But, remember, if you don’t pay back the loan or your policy ends, you might owe taxes on the borrowed amount. Also, the death benefit of your policy will be less if there’s an outstanding loan. So, make sure you have a plan to pay back the loan on time to avoid problems.
To borrow from your life insurance, talk to your insurance company or a financial advisor about the details. By borrowing from life insurance and accessing life insurance cash value, you can get a flexible and possibly cheaper way to get funds when you need them.
Use a Credit Card Cash Advance
When you’re in a tight spot and need cash quickly, a credit card cash advance might seem appealing. But, it often comes with high fees and interest rates. It’s important to know the downsides before taking out a cash advance.
High Fees and Interest Rates Involved
Cash advance fees can be quite high, usually between 3% to 6% of what you borrow. Also, the interest rate on a credit card cash advance is higher than the regular purchase APR, often starting at 25%. This means the cost of a credit card cash advance can quickly increase, making it an expensive way to get cash fast.
Moreover, interest on a credit card cash advance starts right away. Unlike regular purchases, which may have a grace period before interest is charged. This can lead to a lot of interest owed, even if you pay off the balance quickly.
It’s also key to think about how a credit card cash advance affects your credit score over time. While it won’t directly hurt your credit, a higher credit card utilization can. This factor makes up 30% of your FICO® score.
In summary, a credit card cash advance gives you quick cash access. But, the high cash advance fees and interest rates make it a less good choice. Looking into other options, like personal loans or borrowing from loved ones, might be better in the end.
Look for Payday Alternative Loans
When you’re in a pinch and need cash fast, look beyond traditional payday loans. Payday alternative loans (PALs) are a better choice. They have lower fees and interest rates than payday loans.
PALs are short-term loans offered by credit unions or other lenders. They range from $300 to $1,000 and can be paid back in one to six months. The interest on PALs is capped at 28%, much lower than payday loans’ nearly 400% APR.
Some top payday alternative loan providers to consider include:
- Oportun: Offers personal loans from $300 to $10,000 with interest rates up to 35.99%
- Navy Federal Credit Union: Provides loans from $250 to $50,000 with APR ranging from 8.99% to 18.00%
- First Tech Federal Credit Union: Offers loans from $500 to $50,000 with an APR as low as 7.99%
- PenFed Credit Union: Provides loans from $600 to $50,000 with APR ranging from 7.99% to 17.99%
These alternatives have better terms and can help you build credit. They also offer financial education resources. By looking into payday alternative loans, you can find a responsible short-term loan option that fits your needs.
Get a Personal Loan
Need money fast? Personal loans from banks, credit unions, or online lenders can help. These loans have fixed repayment plans and interest rates that might be lower than credit card cash advances or payday loans. It’s important to look at rates and terms from different personal loan providers to find what works best for you.
Compare Rates from Banks and Online Lenders
Traditional banks like U.S. Bank offer personal loans from $1,000 to $50,000 for customers and $1,000 to $25,000 for non-customers. These loans last from 12 to 84 months with fixed APRs between 8.74% and 24.99%. You don’t need collateral and can use the money for many things.
Online personal loan providers like LightStream, SoFi, Avant, and Discover also offer great rates and quick approval. They lend from $2,000 to $100,000 with APRs starting at 6.99% and going up to 35.99%. Applying and getting approved is usually faster than with traditional banks.
| Lender | Loan Amounts | APR Range |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Bank | $1,000 – $50,000 (customers) $1,000 – $25,000 (non-customers) |
8.74% – 24.99% |
| LightStream | $5,000 – $100,000 | 6.99% – 25.49% |
| SoFi | $5,000 – $100,000 | 8.99% – 29.99% |
| Avant | $2,000 – $35,000 | 9.95% – 35.99% |
| Discover | $2,500 – $35,000 | 7.99% – 24.99% |
By looking at loan amounts, interest rates, and repayment terms from different personal loan providers, you can find the best option for your needs and budget. Take your time to explore and make a smart choice.
Rent Out a Spare Room or Space
Turning unused space into a rental can make you extra cash. You can rent out a spare room, a basement, or even a shed. Use Airbnb, VRBO, and local classifieds to find renters and make money from your space.
Short-term or Long-term Rental Options
Short-term rentals through Airbnb let you make money when your space is free. Long-term rentals offer a steady income. Think about what you want, what renters need, and the local market to pick the best rental plan.
Renting out a spare room or space is a smart way to earn money from unused space. By using the short-term rental and long-term rental markets, you can make your unused spaces pay off.
“Some homeowners have reported paying off their entire mortgages within a few years by renting out rooms or their whole houses.”
Airbnb and VRBO have changed the hospitality world. They make it easy for homeowners to list their properties and find renters. With the right strategy and focus on guest needs, renting out a spare room or space can be profitable and fulfilling.
Conclusion
This article looked at many ways to get free cash or more money quickly. You can sell things you don’t use, work on the side, or borrow against things you own. It shows legal and easy ways to increase your money fast.
The blogger shared their experience with Freecash, a site where you can earn by playing games, doing surveys, and signing up. Freecash is popular because it offers many ways to make money, has low payout limits, and lets you cash out right away.
There are many legal ways to get extra cash fast, no matter your financial situation. By using the ideas from this article and sites like Freecash, you can handle your money better and pay your bills easily.