I need money now, what should I do? We all face times when we need quick cash! Whether you want to cover an unexpected expense or get through a financial shortfall, these times do come.
While cash emergencies can be quite disorienting, they shouldn't overly worry you. Why? When you need cash fast, there are numerous options for getting your hands on funds. From taking instant loans to completing easy tasks that pay instantly, there is always a way.
Luckily, that’s why we are here. Today, we’ll outline some of the fastest and most reliable ways to get money when you need it urgently.
Table of Contents
Apps that Pay Instantly
Want to know how to get money fast? Try these apps that pay instantly:
1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is one of the most popular rewards apps that lets you earn points for your effort. All you need to do is complete some simple tasks and earn yourself points (SB points). These points are mainly redeemable as cash or gift cards to popular retailers and brands.
Here is how to make money quickly with Swagbucks:
- Taking surveys
- Watching video ads and content
- Playing games
- Searching the web through Swagbucks
- Shopping online through Swagbucks
- Referring friends
But how much money can you make on Swagbucks? This will depend on how many surveys or tasks you can complete. According to Swagbucks, you can easily earn between $1 and $5 a day and up to $1,865 a year.
See Related: Easy Swagbucks Hacks to Maximize Your Income
2. Branded Surveys
Branded Surveys has all types of paid online surveys that pay out instantly in cash via PayPal. Surveys here can earn you anywhere from $0.5 to $5 each and take 5-20 minutes to complete.
Usually, the platform offers new surveys daily, ensuring that users always have something to tackle. Even better, you can withdraw your earnings through PayPal, gift cards, or direct bank deposit once you hit $10.
So, if you are wondering – how can I make extra money from home in the evenings? Branded Surveys might be just the right platform for you.
3. Money Well
If you love playing games, Money Well pays you to do just that and more. It is an app for Android users that helps you earn some extra cash for doing what you love – playing online games.
And if you are worried about being scammed, there is no need to. Money Well is one of the legit money-making opportunities, with a rating of around 4.3/5 stars on many review sites.
It might seem to pay peanuts, but if you are consistent, you can make a few dollars. So, if you just need a few dollars quick, you can try Money Well.
4. Mistplay
Mistplay is also an app that pays instantly for playing games. If you are looking for a platform that helps you make money on your phone, Mistplay fits that bill.
Simply play your favorite games, earn rewards, and redeem them. Usually, the platform rewards with Units (Mistplay’s currency) after playing the games. You can later redeem these units for cash via PayPal or gift cards.
Each 1,500 Units can be redeemed for $5. And the more you play, the more you earn.
See Related: Mistplay Review: Is It Worth It to Make Money?
Easy Loans To Get You Fast Cash
Sometimes, the above apps cannot offer you enough money to cater to your emergency. In such a case, fast loans come in handy. In fact, if you want to learn how to make $1,000 in 24 hours, online loans are an excellent option.
The best thing about personal loans is that they are fast, can offer considerable amounts, and don't charge too much interest. With an average interest of around 11% annually, personal loans can be a day saver.
If you go for payday loans, you'll certainly have to pay higher interest rates (28% to 1,950%). However, payday loans also have their benefits. For example, you can get a loan within a few hours, and most do not need credit checks.
Here are some top lenders to consider when you need money right away:
5. CreditLoan.com
CreditLoan offers personal loans up to $40,000. Even better, they even consider borrowers with bad credit. And if you have a car, you can use it as collateral to get an instant car loan.
Loan terms range from 3 to 36 months. They have an easy online application and can deposit approved funds as soon as the next business day. This can be a lifesaver when you need money urgently.
6. MoneyMutual
I need 2,000 dollars by tomorrow, where can I get such kind of money? At MoneyMutual! Yes, you read that one right.
MoneyMutual's lender network offers short-term loans up to $5,000. The online form takes less than 5 minutes to complete, and bad credit is not a barrier. You'll get offers from lenders in as little as 24 hours, with quick transfer of funds possible upon acceptance.
Therefore, if you are looking for a quick cash fix, MoneyMutual offers some of the fastest payday loans. In less than 24 hours, you’ll be able to sort out your emergency.
7. CashUSA.com
CashUSA works just like MoneyMutual. It connects borrowers to lenders offering personal loans up to $10,000.
The platform gets offers out quickly, often within one business day of a completed application. This speed makes them a great option when you need cash immediately.
Short Tasks on Your Phone
Are you grappling with this question – where do I get easy money near me? Check out your phone.
Thanks to some handy apps, you can easily earn money working on quick, short jobs and tasks right from your smartphone. Here are some top options:
8. TaskRabbit
With TaskRabbit, you can sign up to earn cash by completing small jobs and tasks in your area. People in need of workers post jobs on the platform, and you can pick and apply for the one that suits you.
Some of the main tasks here could include:
- Moving help – Load/unload trucks, haul items
- Cleaning – Tidy homes, wash windows, clear gutters
- Handyman work – Paint, mount TVs, assemble furniture
- Delivery – Pick up/drop off items, shop for groceries
- Yard work – Mowing, gardening, raking leaves
According to reviews, tasks here pay anywhere from $15 to over $80 per hour, depending on the type of job. Even better, same-day payment is available. In fact, whenever I need money desperately, TaskRabbit is one of those sites that come to mind.
9. Steady
Want to know how to make 400 dollars fast? Try out the Steady app. The app offers all kinds of quick earning opportunities like:
- Driving for Uber and Lyft
- Warehouse and manufacturing jobs
- Food production and service work
- Inventory and stocking positions
- Delivery gigs like Instacart or DoorDash
If you are looking for a side hustle or a part-time job, the Steady app might be your best bet. Users here make over $5,500 annual average income. You can earn a nice cash boost fast with Steady.
10. Jobble
Similar to TaskRabbit, Jobble enables you to apply for local quick jobs that get posted in the app. These could include things like:
- Event staffing
- Surveys
- Handing out flyers or free samples
- Market research focus groups
- Mock jurors
- Retail product demos
Whether you are looking for hourly gigs or some full-time job fix, Jobble has your back. It helps match you with jobs, and you get paid on the same platform.
11. Amazon Mechanical Turk
Amazon Mechanical Turk operates as a crowdsourcing job board. It lets you earn money by completing simple online tasks posted by companies and researchers.
With Amazon Mechanical Turk, you get simple tasks like:
- Data entry
- Transcription
- Categorization
- Content moderation
- Information lookup
- Ad testing
You get paid per task, typically a few cents to a dollar, which can add up quickly. You can cash out earnings with an Amazon gift card or bank transfer.
See Related: How to Become an Amazon Influencer?
Cash Back Apps
Cashback apps allow you to earn money on regular purchases at stores, restaurants, online retailers, and more. It's an easy way to save on expenses while also earning extra money through these apps:
12. Ibotta
Ibotta works by providing cashback offers on all kinds of grocery, retail, travel, dining, and entertainment purchases. You can also earn bonuses by:
- Completing one-time app activities
- Referring friends to Ibotta
- Linking store loyalty programs
- Unlocking teamwork challenges and hot offers
Cash out your earnings via PayPal or gift cards for quick access to your cash.
13. Fetch
With Fetch, you earn points just for scanning and submitting photos of any receipt from your purchases. You can earn money by shopping at main retailers like Walmart, Target, Amazon, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, or convenience stores.
The points earned can be converted to gift cards for easy cash redeeming. It might not offer thousands of dollars, but you can easily get a few backs back from your daily purchases.
14. Rakuten
Formerly called Ebates, Rakuten gives you cash back for purchases made from thousands of stores. These include Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Nike and Groupon, and more.
The platform also allows you to earn money by:
- Signing up for an account
- Referring friends
- Linking credit cards
- Activating bonus offers
With Rakuten, most purchases normally earn a 2% cashback. That’s $2 for every $100 worth of purchases. However, some purchases can fetch you up to 40% cashback. This means that your income depends on the amount spent on purchases, as well as the type of purchase.
15. Dosh
Dosh is another cashback site that pays you when you link your credit/debit cards and shop or dine at partner merchants. You earn cash back for spending your money at over 10,000 retailers, including Forever 21, Walmart, Sephora, Seamless, Instacart, and Pizza Hut.
Bonus: Get $5 just for signing up and linking a card!
16. Drop
Drop app gives you points for spending money at their partner brands like Starbucks, Uber, Nike, Target, etc. Once you accumulate points, you can redeem them anytime for gift card rewards or cash out to PayPal.
Each 1000 points at Drop equals $1. This means that you need at least 25,000 points to hit the platform’s minimum threshold, which is $25. The more you use the Drop app for your shopping activities, the faster you can reach that threshold.
Delivery Apps
Driving for a delivery app also allows you to earn quick money on your schedule. Here, you get paid to deliver food, groceries, packages, and other items to customers locally. Reports show that up to 40% of Americans currently have a side hustle.
Some of the main apps to help you achieve this include:
17. Uber Eats
With Uber Eats, you can earn money picking up and delivering meals from restaurants to hungry customers around your city. As an independent contractor, you get to set your own hours and only work as much as you want. Payments are deposited weekly.
The rates here are also not bad. For instance, according to Zippia, Uber Eats drivers can make anywhere from $16-$23 an hour. And payments are usually made weekly.
18. Postmates
Postmates offers delivery opportunities beyond just food. As a driver, you can earn quick cash delivering just about anything locally, including restaurant meals, grocery items, electronics from Best Buy, or event supplies from Party City.
With the app, you'll get paid per delivery, usually within a couple of days. This makes Postmates another solid option for instant money. So, if you are thinking – I have no income and need money now, where do I turn to? Try Postmates today.
19. DoorDash
DoorDash enables you to earn money on short food delivery gigs in your free time. Simply open the app when you have availability and pick up food orders from restaurants near you to deliver to DoorDash customers. You'll earn per order and can cash out earnings instantly.
20. Instacart
As an Instacart shopper, you'll head to local grocery stores to shop and deliver customers' orders within hours. You can earn $7 to $20 per delivery plus tips.
Once you do the deliveries, direct deposit payments are made weekly. It's an easy way to earn good money fast.
See Related: How to Make Money Online for Beginners
Sell Stuff
Selling items you no longer use or need is a great way to declutter your space while earning quick cash. But someone may wonder – what can I sell to make money fast? Almost anything!
Whether you have some clothes lying there in the closet, some shoes, art pieces, or electronics, you can get some cash out of them. Interestingly, the following apps make it pretty easy to sell your stuff.
21. Craigslist
Craigslist makes it free and easy to sell locally. Simply post items like furniture, game consoles, bicycles, clothing, etc., to Craigslist for your city.
You can communicate with buyers and schedule to meet up to complete the sale and earn instant cash. So, if you were trying to figure out how to make quick money in one day, there you have it. Sell your items on Craigslist.
22. Decluttr
Decluttr takes the work out of selling. Just enter your old device information, receive a quick instant quote, and mail in your electronics, tech, games, and CDs/DVDs.
They issue payments the day after receiving your items via PayPal or direct deposit. That’s a fast way to get money on your hands for your emergency.
23. eBay
eBay is one of the quickest ways to sell just about anything and get paid right away. Just snap a photo, create a listing, ship the sold item, and collect your cash via PayPal. You can sell household items, clothing, toys, books, etc.
I Need Money Now: Try Freelance Gigs
Freelancing is undoubtedly a great way to earn fast cash. This is because there are so many online platforms connecting businesses with freelance workers on an on-demand basis. And there is never a shortage of jobs on these platforms for almost any skill.
Examples of top freelancing platforms include:
24. Upwork
Upwork makes it easy to find freelance job opportunities for everyone. You can get jobs in any field here, including:
- Graphic design
- Programming
- Data entry
- Virtual assistant work
- Transcription
- Bookkeeping
- Writing
Money is paid into your Upwork account upon client approval, so you can withdraw it quickly into your own bank account. It takes 5 days after approval to get the money into your account.
25. Fiverr
On Fiverr, you sell your services as fixed-price gigs starting at $5. Some options are:
- Graphic design – Logos, business cards, posters
- Video editing – Promo videos, slideshows, intros
- Voiceovers – Radio ads, cartoons, audiobooks
- Programming – Build apps, websites, bots
- Translation – Documents, recordings, subtitles
You get paid weekly through PayPal once orders are approved.
26. Freelancer.com
This site connects businesses in need of help with skilled freelancers who can assist them. Like Fiverr and Upwork, you can offer numerous services on Freelancer.com like:
- Web and app development
- Graphic design
- Accounting
- Writing, editing, and translation
- Surveys and market research
Get paid safely through Freelancer upon project completion. Get your hands on quick, legit money to sort out your emergency.
27. FlexJobs
FlexJobs provides remote and flexible freelance job opportunities in fields like administration, marketing, customer service, writing, and graphic design. You can quickly search for part-time, temporary, or full-time positions that allow you to work from home on your schedule.
Some benefits of FlexJobs include:
- High-quality screening
- Easy application
- Weekly pay
- Large database
- Multiple categories
Note: FlexJobs does require a monthly membership fee to enable you to unlock the jobs. However, this is worth it as it gives you access to quality screened remote jobs with reliable weekly pay. Open your FlexJobs account today and start earning fast, reliable income.
Sign-up Bonuses
Sometimes, all you need to do is sign up and get money instantly from various apps. For example, some money-saving and investing apps incentivize signing up by offering quick cash bonuses just for joining. Some don’t even require you to deposit anything, although some do.
Good examples here include:
28. Stash
Currently, Stash is giving out $20 to start investing just for opening an account and depositing as little as $5 into your Stash investing account. You also get $20 more if you refer a friend and they deposit some money in their account. Now, that is quick cash that requires pretty minimal effort.
29. Chime
Chime, the online bank, offers a $100 sign-up bonus when you open a free spending account, set up a direct deposit and receive at least $200. The $200 must be a qualifying deposit from sources like an employer, gig economy client, or payroll provider. Also, the deposit must be made within the first 45 days of your account opening to qualify for the bonus.
Conclusion: I Need Money Now
The need for quick cash can arise at any time. Thankfully, as you can see, there are so many easy and fast options for getting money right away – even on the same day in many cases.
Whether it's an instant payout app, driving for a delivery service, selling items, or freelancing, you can have funds available in 24 hours or less. Hopefully, these ideas will help provide some quick financial relief next time you find yourself desperately asking, “I need money now; where can I get help?”