How to Raise Money in a Pinch

Tough economic times are often challenging for people who are unemployed or underemployed. An employee is underemployed when he is not working at a needed compensation, needed hours or desired challenge. As of October 2010, the United States unemployment rate was 9.6 percent, but the underemployment rate was 18 percent. As a result, 27.6 percent of Americans did not have sufficient income. People need to be creative to raise money quickly to supplement their lower-than-satisfactory wages during such economic hardship.

Instructions

Sell Disposable Assets

1. Determine what assets are necessary and what assets are discretionary. Necessary items could include things such as a vehicle to get to a job that's too far away to walk, a computer if your job requires an Internet connection or a machine to help you breathe if sleep apnea is a health concern. Discretionary items include things such as jewelry, video games and sports equipment and memorabilia.

2. Research the value of your discretionary assets before attempting to sell them.

3. Determine the proper venue to sell an asset. To sell an asset quickly, it must have adequate exposure. Popular online venues to sell items include Craigslist and eBay.

4. Reinforce to potential buyers that you have a certain price in mind, if that is the case. Do not allow a buyer to negotiate a price far below the amount of money you need.

Return Unused Purchases

1. Review the purchases that have been made in the past 30 days to determine if there are any items that have not been used.

2. Verify that the item to be returned is not needed. If necessary, think about possible future scenarios where the item to be returned may be useful. If the item is not a necessity in the near future, return it.

3. Verify that a store receipt has been kept to prove that the item to be returned was purchased at a certain store. Most stores will not return an item's full value in cash without a receipt verifying the sale price.

Web-Based Freelance Writing

1. Search the Internet for reputable writing studios hiring freelance writers. Pay attention to the pay frequency of each studio, as the studio that pays the most frequently would be a better option to write for if money is needed quickly. Web-based freelance writing requires a computer and Internet connection.

2. Apply for a writing position with one or more of the writing studios you've found. If a writing sample is required, take the time to write a cohesive and intelligent article that showcases writing skills and proper grammar usage.

3. Search the database of titles available to be written. Pay special attention to the articles that pertain to a hobby or interest.

References

• Gallup: Unemployment Update: Surge, Decline Even Out in Gov't Report
• Wallet Pop: 25 Unusual Ways to Make Quick Money
• Demand Studios: Freelance Writing Jobs