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Sell spare electronics -

If you have any old phones, laptops, iPads, or music players lying around, now is probably the time to put them up for sale.

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Sell spare electronics -

Websites like Swappa and Gazelle are one way to swap your old electronics for cash; or you can use an ecoATM kiosk, where the process takes about five minutes.

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Sell gift cards -

There's good news if you have any gift cards lying around that you haven't used yet: you can sell them on exchange websites offering cash for gift cards.

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Sell gift cards -

One site, CardCash, will pay up to 92% of a card's value, and GiftCash is another option. Bear in mind, however, that if the card needs to be mailed in it can take a few days to process the payment.

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Pawn something -

If you own jewelry, musical instruments, electronics, etc., you can receive cash in exchange for these items at pawn shops.

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Pawn something -

If you use the pawned item for a loan, your belonging will be kept as collateral if you can't pay back the amount. These kind of loans are not a great option, but they won't hit your credit score and they're quick!

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Find a side hustle job -

Freelancing is a great way to make some extra cash when you're in a fix. Websites like Upwork and Fiverr offer short-, medium-, and long-term freelancing gigs when you need a side hustle.

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Find a side hustle job -

Think about your skills and how you could monetize them by offering services on a freelance basis to clients via freelancing platforms.

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Seek community loans and assistance -

Community organizations sometimes offer loans or assistance short term to help with covering the cost of rent, utilities, or emergencies.

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Bills forbearance -

Some utilities and cable providers won't charge interest if you pay them late. But you need to get in touch with them to find out.

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Bills forbearance -

Find out if late payment is acceptable, then use that money to fund the emergency that's arisen. For agreements like loans, it's best to get in touch with the financial provider to explore the options, before resorting to high-rate lenders in desperation.

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Ask for an advance -

You can try asking your employer for a cash advance on your wages, which doesn't cost money and will be deducted from your next payslip.

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Ask for an advance -

Some companies have a policy of offering low-cost loans to workers who are experiencing a crisis. The app EarnIn also offers to advance employee wages, in return for access to bank account details and work time sheets.

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Borrow against retirement -

It's a complicated process, but you can borrow against your retirement—from your IRA—once a year if you repay the money within 60 days.

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Borrow against life insurance -

Typically, you can borrow as much as half your account balance from your individual retirement or 401K. However, bear in mind that if you quit or are let go from your job, you could be required to pay back the amount soon afterwards.

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Borrow against life insurance -

If you have a life insurance policy with a cash value, you can borrow against it. Typically, you have the rest of your life to pay the amount back. Any remaining money owed will be subtracted from the policy payment when you die if you haven't fully paid it back.

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Spare change -

If you're in a real bind, it's time to hunt down the spare change in your home. Time to dig through your belongings for hidden cash—couch cushions, piggy banks, old paint cans, etc.—and take them to your nearest bank or credit union to exchange for notes.

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Garage sale -

It might take a bit of time and effort to organize, but a yard/garage sale is another way to raise much needed funds. Spread the word on social media to get more attention.

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Credit card cash advance -

A cash advance on a credit card is a much cheaper option than the interest on a payday loan, if your account is in good standing.

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Personal loan -

If you have good personal credit, a loan might be an option for you. Depending on your lender and credit score, the funds could be made available to you the next day.

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Rent a room -

If you live in a desirable area, and have a spare room, you can earn some emergency cash with short-term stays. Just make sure it's allowed if you're renting, or if your building has specific rules. Payment is released around 24 hours after the guest checks in.

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Dog sit -

Dog sitting rates might pleasantly surprise you. They can range from US$20-$100 a night for pet sitting at the owner's home. Check out sites like Care.com and Rover and Wag, which match dog sitters and walkers with owners.

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Rideshare or delivery -

Become a driver for companies like Uber, Lyft, or Bolt in your free time to earn extra income. Food delivery services are also still in high demand.

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Cut insurance premiums -

Comparing car insurance quotes will help you find the best offer. Even if you like the company you're with, there could be discounts available, for example, if you've gone five years without an accident.

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Cut insurance premiums -

Likewise for home insurance. Shopping around to compare quotes could save you up to 10% on what you pay, with discounts for automatic payments, having a home security system, and being claim-free.

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Consolidate debt -

If you're struggling to make a number of payments, you could reduce the load by consolidating them into one loan. Some lenders can finance consolidation loans on the same day.

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Phone plan -

Moving to a less expensive phone plan could help give your cash flow a small boost. Shop around to find the best offer among providers.

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Friends and family -

As a last resort, if you're in a bad situation that's an emergency, consider turning to friends and family. Remember, though, it can have negative consequences on the relationship. Make sure to have a clear conversation about when the amount will be paid back to avoid strained relations.

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Emergency savings -

In general, it's recommended to have around three months of living expenses in savings, in case of an emergency. In reality, it's better to have between six and 12 months, just in case.

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Avoid payday loans -

Lastly, avoid payday loans at all costs. They have extremely high interest rates that can easily get people trapped in a cycle each month. There are lots of other options out there, so try everything else first.

Sources: (NerdWallet) (Investopedia) (OneMain Financial)

See also: Why is the housing market so expensive?

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