23 Realistic Ways to Get Paid Today

Apps to Download For Instant Cash Loans (First Two I've Tested Myself)

1 – MoneyLion

I downloaded the MoneyLion app to my iPhone, connected it to my bank account, and borrowed $25 which was immediately sent to my bank account.

MoneyLion will send you an amount between $10 and $500. They decide the amount you qualify to borrow after you've connected your bank account to the app. There is no credit check.

You can get the money within 1 to 5 days for no fee, or you can pay a fast funding fee (between $0.49 to $8.99) to get the money in your bank account instantly. There's also an option to leave a tip for them.

The money you borrow plus the fees will be deducted back out of your bank account. The repayment date will usually fall within a week or two of when you borrow the money, and you can adjust this if you need to when it's time to pay it back.

Go here to sign up and get cash from MoneyLion. There is NO credit check to do this.

2 – Brigit

I downloaded the Brigit app to my iPhone and tested it out, borrowing $200. The max you can borrow through Brigit is $250. The max amount you qualify to borrow will vary depending on different factors, but there is NO credit check. They look at your bank account to determine how much you qualify to borrow.

The smallest amount you can get through Brigit is $50, so if you qualify to borrow via this app, you'll get at least that much.

Brigit makes their money back by requiring borrowers who get instant cash through their app to sign up for their paid plan, which ranges from $8.99 to $15.99 a month depending on the plan tier you choose.

This fee may seem like a turn-off, but if you are someone who frequently finds themselves strapped for cash just before payday with no options, it may save you quite often and be worth the monthly fee to have access to the service when you need it.

Please note that in November 2024, the FTC settled with Brigit for over $17 million related to concerns about deceptive advertising and difficult cancellation practices. I have personally used and been paid by this app, but it's worth being aware of before signing up.

Another good thing about Brigit is you can set the repayment date for when your next paycheck comes in.

You can get your money instantly by paying a fast-funding fee of up to $3.99 (depending on how much you're borrowing), or you can pay no fee and get your money in 1-3 days.

Go here to sign up for Brigit.

3 – EarnIn

This is an app available for both Apple and Android devices that allows you to get some of your paycheck early, to help out with those little emergencies when they arise.

This company charges no fee for you to use their service, they just give you the opportunity to leave a small tip when you get your advance (but even that is optional).

EarnIn works for anyone who gets paid through direct deposit into a checking account and who has an electronic timesheet with their name on it.

It also works for several of the on demand companies like Uber, Instacart, Door Dash, Amazon Fresh and others that are so popular right now.

Go here to sign up and start using EarnIn.

Selling Stuff You Already Own For Quick Cash

4 – eBay

If you have items you're willing to part with, you can put them up for sale on eBay with the Buy It Now option.

With Buy It Now, you don't have to wait days for an auction to end. If someone sees your item and likes your price, they can buy it right then and you will most likely get an instant Paypal payment.

If there is a lot of competition for the item you're wanting to sell, study the prices of the other items and make sure yours is lowest. You might be willing to take a bit of a loss if you're truly that desperate to get the cash ASAP.

5 – Facebook Groups

I think we have all seen the Facebook local “yard sale” groups and the Facebook Marketplace where people post used clothes, electronics, exercise equipment, vehicles, and all kinds of other things to sell.

Join a group like this if you're not already in it and post something you know others might want. Or post your item(s) on the Marketplace.

If it's an attractive item accompanied by a good picture with an equally attractive price, there's a great chance you'll get a local buyer the same day you post your pics.

6 – Craigslist

If you don't have an eBay or a Facebook account, you can post your items on the Craigslist site for your local area instead.

Your ad will go live shortly after you post it, and just like with Facebook and eBay, there's a good chance you'll sell fast if you've done your research and priced very competitively.

Please be careful whenever meeting strangers for these kinds of transactions. If possible, make sure you're meeting up in a public place with lots of people around.

7 – Etsy

This is another extremely popular online marketplace for people with crafty or vintage items to get rid of. Setting up an account is free and if your items sell, you'll get paid on Etsy's regular deposit schedule to your bank account.

Browse around to see what others post to get ideas for what you can sell there, take good pictures, and price your items very competitively to see some quick sales (and quick money).

If you aren't crafty, there are quite a lot of digital items you can create and sell on Etsy instead.

Go here to start using Etsy, or read our Etsy review for more details on how it works for sellers.

8 – Sell Your Old Tech With Gazelle

If you have old phones, tablets, laptops, or other electronics collecting dust, Gazelle is a quick way to turn them into cash. You get an instant quote on their site, ship your device for free, and get paid via check, PayPal, or Amazon gift card once they inspect it.

No listings, no waiting for buyers, no haggling. It's one of the fastest ways to get money for old tech without the hassle of selling it yourself.

9 – Sell Unused Gift Cards

Got gift cards sitting in a drawer that you'll never use? You can sell them for cash through CardCash. Just enter your card details, get an offer, and get paid via PayPal or ACH deposit, usually within a day or two of approval.

You won't get face value, but getting 70-85 cents on the dollar for a card you'd never use is better than letting it sit there forever.

10 – Have a Garage or Yard Sale

Another obvious idea, but it can really work if you plan and it doesn't have to cost you a dime to set it up.

For this to really be profitable, it's ideal if you do it on a sunny, warm day. It's also best if your house is in high-traffic area or a busy neighborhood so lots of people will see it and stop by.

If you do have a few dollars to invest, you can advertise a little with some signs and/or an ad in your local paper or a local Facebook group (see above) — the latter of which shouldn't cost you anything.

11 – Donate Your Plasma

You've probably seen this option before and thought, “No, I'm not doing that.” But it's something to seriously consider.

Most plasma centers will let you donate twice a week, and you can earn anywhere from $20 to $50 each time you do it. You are not paid for your plasma, but rather the time it takes to give your donation. Some centers will even pay you referral fees if you refer your friends to donate.

Be sure to double check that the center you're using to give your donation actually pays before you go. Not all of them will pay you.

Go here to search for plasma donation centers in your area.

Free Emergency Help You May Not Know About

12 – Dial 211

If you're in a genuine financial emergency, dial 2-1-1 from any phone. It's a free service available in most of the U.S. that connects you with local emergency assistance programs for things like rent, food, utilities, and more.

Many people don't know this exists, but it can connect you with real help in your area fast and at no cost to you.

13 – Local Churches and Community Centers

Don't overlook your local church or community center if you're in a bind. Many of them have small emergency funds or connections to local assistance programs and will help people out with no strings attached, regardless of whether you're a member.

It can feel uncomfortable to ask, but these organizations exist specifically for situations like this.

Borrow Money Through More Traditional Means

Here are a few ways you can borrow money with good credit or bad credit.

14 – Ask Your Employer For a Paycheck Advance

Before turning to an app or a lender, it's worth asking your employer directly. Many companies will advance you a portion of your next paycheck if you're in a bind, and the best part is there's typically no interest and no fees involved.

It's an uncomfortable conversation for some people, but it's one of the cheapest ways to get cash fast if your employer is willing.

15 – Try a Credit Union First

If you need a personal loan and your credit isn't great, a credit union is often a better starting point than a traditional bank. Credit unions are member-owned nonprofits and tend to be more flexible with lending criteria and charge lower interest rates than banks or online lenders.

Look up credit unions in your area to see which ones you qualify to join. Many are open to anyone who lives or works in a certain area.

16 – Get a Traditional Loan If You Can

Visit a bank or loan office and see if you qualify for a short-term loan. Your chances of getting approved will depend on your credit and whether or not you have any collateral.

Some lenders may be willing to work with you even if your credit is bad if you can get a co-signer with good credit, and some lenders are more lenient than others overall when it comes to your credit. Peer-to-peer lending is another option to consider if you're interested in getting a loan.

If you have bad credit and need a personal loan, Upstart is worth checking. They consider factors beyond just your credit score and have approved people with poor credit at rates far better than payday loans. Note that funding typically takes 2-4 business days.

Not sure what your credit score is? Credit Karma is a free way to keep tabs on yours. They will even email you when your score changes.

17 – Cash Out Credit Card Rewards

If you've been accumulating points or cashback rewards on a credit card and haven't redeemed them, now might be the time. Many credit cards let you redeem rewards as a statement credit or direct deposit to your bank account immediately.

Check your card's rewards portal, you may have more sitting there than you realize.

18 – Pawn Shops

If your credit is simply not good enough for you to get a traditional loan, you don't have a co-signer to help you out, and you can't download or use any of the instant cash apps I linked at the beginning of this blog post, a pawn shop could be an option.

Pawn shops will give you cash right away for your valuables (jewelry, firearms, electronics, etc.), and they don't bother to check credit.

You'll have to pay back what you were given plus some pretty excessive interest. If you don't pay it back, you've lost your item forever.

I really would not recommend this unless there is absolutely no other way to get a loan because of the interest and the fact that pawn shops have a reputation for being a bit shady in general.

You are also NOT going to get anywhere near what your item is worth. Basically what they offer you will probably be borderline insulting, but if you're desperate enough, you can do it.

You shouldn't go the pawn shop route unless your financial need is an all-out emergency and there are no other options you can realistically take advantage of.

Lucrative, Easy to Start Side-Gigs

19 – Start DoorDashing

If you have transportation, you can sign up to become a DoorDasher and start earning money and getting paid daily.

Not familiar with DoorDash? Most people know about it by now, but if you don't, it's delivering food and small grocery orders to people.

The amount you earn will depend on the area you live in and how busy it is, the pay rate for your area, and of course how much you get in tips. Some DoorDashers claim to earn $20 hourly, but again, this will just depend on a lot of factors.

I've listed DoorDash as a “get paid today” option because you can withdraw your earnings every single day if you need to.

Go here to sign up as a DoorDasher.

20 – Pick Up a Gig on TaskRabbit

If you're handy, can assemble furniture, help someone move boxes, do yard work, or handle basic home repairs, TaskRabbit connects you with people in your area who need those things done.

You set your own rates and availability, and many tasks pay same-day or next-day. It's one of the better options for people who prefer physical work over sitting at a computer.

Ideas If You're a Blogger, Webmaster, Or Have an Online Presence of Some Sort

Do you have an online presence? Then this will definitely help you generate some quick cash. Here are a few ideas that may result in getting paid today if you act on them:

21 – Sell Something to Promote On Your Platform

Do you have a blog, website, or social media account that gets a healthy amount of traffic? If you do, you could quickly create some type of digital product (a short e-book or printable that fits with the niche of your blog), and set up a shopping cart to accept payments immediately for any sales you get.

Price it competitively to help guarantee sales, and make sure you advertise it — put the link above the fold on your site, share it on social media, and if you have a newsletter, let your subscribers know about it.

An example — I have written several short work at home guides that are digital downloads to sell here on my website. And I get paid for them as soon as I receive any sales by using a site called Payhip as my payment gateway. So this is one way that I get paid every day for digital products I sell on my site.

22 – Ask People For Donations

A lot of people don't feel comfortable doing this, but there is really nothing wrong with accepting donations if you run a blog, website, or a social media presence.

Many people do it. You can look at it as a way of allowing “tips” for your helpful content. Again, this works best if your site gets a fair amount of traffic or you have a large social media following.

You can go here to learn about getting a Paypal “Donate” button set up. Ko-fi is another site that lets you ask your followers for donations or “tips.”

Another idea is to link your Venmo or CashApp details on your website and invite people to donate to you that way.

23 – Run An Advertising Sale

Offer direct advertising on your website or offer to do sponsored content on your social media accounts and run a sale. Contact any people who have advertised with you before and also any potential advertisers to let them know they can get exposure very inexpensively for whatever period of time you're going to offer it.

There's a good chance some of them will bite and you'll get paid. You can even advertise it to your readers in case any of them have something they want to advertise.

So that's all I've got. I hope it helps!