There are many reasons you might need emergency cash. Unexpected car trouble or medical bills come to mind for most, but maybe you recently got laid off or the cost of your rent shot up and you can’t afford to move. Needing quick ways to earn $1,000 is common, but it doesn’t make it any less frustrating or serious. If your latest financial emergency has you asking how to make $1,000 quickly, we have some suggestions.
Our guide will talk about how you can make that kind of money sooner rather than later, but in ways that are both realistic and legal. This could include borrowing the money, selling some of your stuff or picking up a couple lucrative side gigs.
1. Take Out a Personal Loan for Immediate Cash
This strategy isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel. You need money you don’t have right now, so you borrow it. Personal loans can get you $1,000 fast and likely will come with fixed repayment terms. That means your monthly payment won’t change, making budgeting them more manageable and predictable.
How To Get It:
One of the best ways to find a personal loan that works for you is with loan marketplaces like this one from Credible or this one from AmOne. Search tools like this are free to use and don’t affect your credit score. Requesting rates can take just minutes and costs you nothing.
Pros:
- Fast approval and lump sum cash.
- No collateral required (for unsecured loans).
Cons:
- This will likely require a credit check. So if your credit score isn’t in a great spot, then this might not be your best option.
- Interest rates can be high, depending on your credit score.
2. Use a 0% Interest Credit Card for Short-Term Relief
Whipping out a credit card is a go-to for many people who need to pay for something but don’t have the cash in hand. The main consequence of that is paying interest on that purchase if you can’t pay the whole bill by the time it comes. However, some credit cards offer 0% APR for a promotional period, allowing you to cover expenses without immediate interest. So, for anywhere from usually 12 months to as much as 21 months, you won’t be charged interest on your purchases.
Best Cards for this Option:
You have quite a few choices for cards like this. And many also offer cash back or travel rewards without an annual fee. We rounded up the best 0% APR credit cards here to make it way easier to find a card that fits your needs.
Pros:
- You don’t pay any interest if you pay it off within the promotional period.
- You’ll get instant access to funds.
Cons:
- If you can’t pay it off during the promotional period, you’ll keep accumulating debt.
- A good credit score could be required.
3. Get an Instant Cash Advance with Earnin
If the $1,000 you need now is out of reach because you’re strapped for cash in between paychecks, you can use Earnin. It allows you to access your paycheck early, up to $150 a day or $750 per pay period. There’s no interest, no credit check and you won’t get hit with mandatory fees.
How to Use Earnin:
1. Sign up and securely connect your bank account and track your work hours.
2. Cash out a portion of your upcoming paycheck.
3. Repay automatically when you get paid.
Pros:
- No interest or mandatory fees.
- No credit check required.
Cons:
- Requires regular direct deposits.
- The amount of cash you get in advance is limited.
4. Sell Unused Items for Quick Money
This option gets you more than just extra money. It gives you more space in your closet, garage, storage locker or whatever other area is full to the brim with stuff you no longer need. It’s become so popular that we have more than Craigslist to help us sell our stuff online. There’s also ThredUp, Facebook Marketplace, Depop and more. You can also go the classic route of having a garage or yard sale, if you have the space for it. You can sell clothing, electronics, furniture, cookware, collectibles, jewelry and much more.
How To Do It:
We have several guides on how to sell stuff and get $1,000 fast. You can sell Pokemon cards, clothing and books. Here are some other options for selling your stuff:
- Electronics: Gazelle, Decluttr, Facebook Marketplace.
- Clothes: Poshmark, Depop, ThredUp.
- General Items: Craigslist, eBay, OfferUp.
Pros:
- There’s no borrowing and you won’t accumulate debt.
- This can be done within a day or two.
Cons:
- Putting up listings is still work, and finding buyers could take time.
- Prices depend on market demand and what you’re selling. You may have to sell quite a bit to reach your goal.
5. Pick Up a Side Gig or Freelance Work
Taking on side hustles and freelancing are popular ways to make money because of their flexibility. You can make a lot of extra cash outside your full-time job without taking on an actual second job. Work as much — or as little — as you want to in order to get the funds you need.
Best Options for Quick Cash:
- Rideshare and delivery: Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart.
- Freelancing: Fiverr, Upwork, TaskRabbit.
- Odd Jobs: Craigslist gigs, local handyman work.
Pros:
- High earning potential, depending on effort.
- Immediate payouts with some platforms.
Cons:
- Requires more time and effort compared to other options.
- Some gigs require certain skills or resources. For example, to drive for Uber, you’d need your own car. And you likely won’t find decent freelance writing opportunities without experience.
6. Rent Out Assets Like Your Car or Spare Room
If you’re wondering how to make $1,000 quickly, look to your extra bedroom, car, storage space, and even your driveway and swimming pool. They could be making you money when you’re not using them. In fact, we have a whole list of things you could rent out besides your home. It includes stuff lots of people have, like clothing and bikes.
Best Platforms:
- Car Rentals: Turo, Getaround.
- Spare Room Rentals: Airbnb, Vrbo.
- Storage Space: Neighbor.com.
Pros:
- No major time investment needed if you already own these things.
- Recurring income potential. You can keep renting it out as long as you need money.
Cons:
- May require maintenance or insurance.
- You need to have assets you aren’t using to rent out.
