Even the best planning can’t solve your problems when you’re in a pinch. It’s especially true if you only have $50 for groceries and your pantry is bare. What can you do? Will you wait for your next paycheck? Will you be able to survive that long?
So there’s only one thing you can do to better your condition – borrow money. There are many ways to get quick cash if you know where to look. For a bit of help, below are five ways to get quick money. Hopefully, one of them will work for you.
Ask Friends And Family
Before you look for other options, ask your friends and family if they can help. Maybe they have a few dollars that you can borrow to buy groceries. If not, maybe they know someone who does or they can, at least, put you in touch with someone who might be able to help. You never know until you ask!
Be sure to pay back your friends and family as soon as possible, or you could damage your relationships. Write a contract stating the amount you’ll borrow and when you can repay it, and make sure everyone signs it!
Get An Online Personal Loan
Online lenders offer quick cash advances to people with good or even bad credit. The application process is simple and you can have money in your bank account within 24 hours.
An online personal loan could be your best bet if you have a grocery list that you can’t afford all at once. Make sure you shop around and find a loan with competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms, like a personal loan from creditninja.com. Otherwise, you’ll end up in huge debt, and that’s not what you want.
Pawn Your Valuables
Got some gold jewelry or a nice watch? Pawn it. Do you have a bike that you don’t use anymore? Pawn it. This quick money idea is excellent because you can get cash in your hand today and then pay back your loan next week when you have the money.
The best part is that there’s no credit check. So, anyone can do it. Just read up on how pawning works before taking any valuables into a pawn shop. Also, know the worth of your item before selling it so you don’t get shorted.
Use Your Credit Card
Another way to pay for your groceries is to use a credit card. While it may seem counterintuitive, using a credit card can help you build your credit score. In addition, some credit cards offer cash back or other rewards when you use them at grocery stores.
The key here is only to spend what you can afford and pay off your balance in full each month. Otherwise, using a credit card can be dangerous and lead to higher interest rates on future purchases. You’ll be stuck in a cycle of debt if you’re not careful.
Trade-In Old Electronics and Gadgets For Cash
This option is excellent if you have old gadgets or electronics that you no longer use. There are many websites where you can trade-in your used devices, such as Gazelle and Decluttr. Most of these sites will give you an instant quote based on what they think your device is worth, and then it’s up to you to decide whether or not you want to accept their offer.
Here are some gadgets to consider:
- Laptops
- iPods
- Phones
- Game Consoles
- Cameras
- Tablets
- Fitness Trackers
- TV
Ensure that you know what your items are worth before selling them. Most of these websites will have an instant quote feature, but you should always check other sites like eBay and Amazon to see if your item is worth more than their offer.
Once your item is sold, you’ll receive a check in the mail. The time it takes to receive your check will vary depending on the site. For example, Decluttr will send you a check within one week of receiving your items. You can also choose to have an Amazon gift card sent to you instead if that’s more convenient for you.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in a pinch and need money fast to buy groceries, don’t panic. There are many ways to raise funds quickly.
For example, you can ask friends or family members for help or borrow small amounts from them. You can also sell items you no longer use that could fetch some cash at a garage sale. And if everything else fails, there’s always your credit card—but be sure to pay it off as soon as possible!