How to Make Money Fast to Pay Bills

Times are hard and everyone is struggling financially. This is not the typical article about getting a cash advance on your credit card, having a garage sale, or cashing in your life insurance policy to raise cash. These are real solutions and ideas for finding money to pay bills without having to grovel to a family member or friend to help. Keep in mind that some of these ideas may mean hard choices, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I have actually done all of these things. Keeping your home, paying the bills, and protecting your credit rating are the important issues.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Get a second or third job. It won't be fun, but drastic times call for drastic measures. Just remember, it won't be forever.

2. If you have teenagers, help them get a part-time job. There is no reason teenagers can't work a couple of days at a grocery store or WalMart after school or on the weekends. Child labor laws protect them -they can only work a limited number of hours a week and until 7PM during the week. Teens can help pay for their clothing, entertainment, cell phone, and other frills.

3. Take in a renter. If you have room in your home or condo, consider taking in a renter. Your privacy may suffer a bit, but you can immediately start bringing in more cash without much effort.

4. Empty all those jars of coins, roll them, and take them to the bank to deposit or exchange for cash. You can use the Coinstar machines, but they charge an 8% fee of the total amount of the coins. You will be surprised how much money you have lying around once you consolidate it.

5. Sell any recreational items like motorcycles, boats, jet-skis, snow mobiles, etc. You can list these types of items on Craigslist for free.

6. Sell your exercise equipment such as a treadmill, weight machine, exercise bike, golf clubs, or ski equipment. You can raise a few hundred dollars quickly. These types of items can be listed on Craigslist.

7. Decide if you can part with any furniture you aren't using. Examples include baby furniture, pool tables, formal dining room furniture, etc. Again, use Craigslist - no cost to place an ad.

8. What about large electronics or appliances? Freezers, lawn equipment, audio-visual equipment, etc. See what you can sell.

9. Consider selling sentimental items such as your wedding gown, wedding ring, engagement ring, or family heirlooms. Again, drastic times call for drastic measures.

10. Sell scrap gold. Gold prices are pretty good right now. You may be able to raise $100 or more selling gold pieces. You can also consider selling watches, cameras, binoculars and other expensive miscellaneous items.

11. Look through your closet for any clothing or other items still with tags or new in the box. Find out if you can return these to the store. (Hopefully you have a receipt or your credit card bill showing the purchase.)

12. Sell your plasma. Go to bloodbanker.com for details on how to donate plasma. There are more than 400 plasma donation locations in the USA. Qualified candidates can make up to $60 a week.

13. Avoid playing the lottery or gambling to try to win money. You are only wasting money! Don't take a risk and lose money that you can't afford to lose.

Tips & Warnings

• You may need to do many of the above steps to raise enough money to make it through tough times. Just keep at it - this too shall pass.

• If you turn to friends or family for money, make sure the arrangement is in writing and that you will pay the going interest rate when you repay the loan. This strategy makes the deal look more attractive and preserves relationships.

Resources

• Learn About Using eBay to Make Money