8 Options for ThoseĀ “Uh-Oh, I Need Cash Now!” Moments

If you need cash now, keep and achieve finance with these top 8 methods to make cash right now.

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ā€œGet quick and easy cashā€¦ Whatever you would like it for, get cash online right away! Just fill in your personal details and get the loan application started now!ā€

Sounds familiar? If you need money now and nobody around has a money tree to help you at that moment of desperate need, it is obvious to look around on Google and get hundreds of such results for your search.

If you are thinking ā€œI need cash nowā€ then there are only two ways to get money: use a cash advance app or cash-in your belongings to make fast funds.

8 Options for Those ā€œUh-Oh, I Need Money Now!ā€ Moments

Whether you need to make an extra 500 a month or looking for quick cash now ā€” you have some options.

1. Use fee-free cash advance apps

losing your job

Cash advances on credit cards can be taxing. In order to avoid hefty credit card fees try the online cash advance options through cash advance apps. The best part of this option is that there is no hard copy paperwork or fax required as you can apply using a simple payday loan app.

Many times payday loans are confused with cash advance loans but payday loans are typically repaid on your next paycheck which is not true for a cash advance. Also, there is no obligation to accept any term that you find difficult to handle. All your queries will be taken care of and explained in a simple language. Soft credit checks and paybacks in a matter of weeks instead of months are typically attractive.

Here are the best payday loan apps that weā€™ve reviewed:

#1
  • Rating:
  • Fees: $8/mo
  • Pros:
    • App Store: 4.9 ā€“ ā€Ž136k reviews
    • Get $250 with no credit check
#2
  • Rating:
  • Fees: $8/mo
  • Pros:
    • App Store: 4.8 ā€“ ā€Ž86k reviews
    • Receive up to $250 today
#1
Rating:
Fees: $8/mo
Pros:
  • App Store: 4.9 ā€“ ā€Ž136k reviews
  • Get $250 with no credit check
#2
Rating:
Fees: $8/mo
Pros:
  • App Store: 4.8 ā€“ ā€Ž86k reviews
  • Receive up to $250 today

Chime: Best Overall

Chime is the banking app that has your back. Keep your money safe with security features, overdraft up to $200 fee-free, and get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit, with no hidden fees.

Chime is one of the best checking accounts weā€™ve reviewed and allows you to overdraw up to $200 on debit card purchases without charging a fee with SpotMeĀ®.

If you set up a Chime account with direct deposit through them ā€” you can get early access to your paycheck, up to 2 days earlier than some of your co-workers*.

Plus, they donā€™t charge any overdraft fees, no foreign transaction fees, no minimum balance fees, or no monthly fees at all.

Top that off with 60,000+ fee-free ATMs at stores you love, like Walgreens, CVS, and 7-Eleven1.

This is the best app to get up to $200 spotted to you at any time. Itā€™s that simple.

Get up to $200
Chime
5.0
  • Experience fee-free overdraft up to $200* when you set up direct deposit with SpotMe.
  • Let Chime spot you when you need that little extra cushion to cover an expense.
  • Join the millions and make the switch today!
SIGN UP FREE
*SpotMe eligibility requirements apply. Overdraft only applies to debit card purchases and cash withdrawals. Limits start at $20 and may be increased up to $200 by Chime.

Where to get it?

Albert: Best All in One App

Albert can spot you up to $250 so you can make ends meet. No late fees, interest, credit check, or hidden hands in your pocket. As long as you have a paycheck and have repaid your past advances, you can request up to 3 cash advances per pay period.

Albert is a super app that offers:
  • Checking account with debit card: Offers one of the best sign up bonus offers currently ($150 for new users)
  • Savings account: Set your schedule or let Albert analyze your spending and automatically move money into your savings account. (On average, they save people $400 in the first six months.)
  • Cash advances: Up to $250
  • Investing: Invest yourself or enable Robo investing
  • Budgeting: AI-driven auto save feature is a big differentiator and very effective
  • Genius: Text with a certified financial advisor anytime for a $6/month fee

Thereā€™s no catch. Albert is legit.

Get up to $250
Albert
  • Get a no-fee and interest-free cash advance of up to $250
  • Pay a small fee to get your money instantly or get cash within 2ā€“3 days for free
  • Costs $8 per month after a 30 day free-trial
Open Account Albert Review

Where to get it?

Empower: Best for Cash Advances

The Empower Card is the only card youā€™ll ever need. Score Cash Advance up to $250 with no interest. Get paid up to 2 days faster.

Empower is an application built for todayā€™s generation. Theyā€™ll be there for you every step of the way, whatever comes your way. You may get a cash advance of up to $250 when you need it most by downloading the app, and save for your future.

empowerr app

Theyā€™re always there for you, and theyā€™ll get a cash advance up to $250 straight into your bank account. Free instant delivery is available for eligible Empower Checking Account customers with an activated debit card.

To determine if youā€™re qualified to receive a Cash Advance, Empower calculates your bank account history and activity, recurring direct deposits, and average monthly direct deposits.

There are no applications, interest or late fees, or credit checks or risks involved. You simply reimburse them as soon as you receive your next payday. Thereā€™s nothing hidden about it. Itā€™s that easy.

Get up to $250
Empower
4.5
  • Get a no-fee and interest-free cash advance of up to $250
  • Use AutoSave to automatically set money aside every week
  • Costs $8 per month after a 14-day free trial 
Open Account

Where to get it?

MoneyLion Loan App: Best Payday Membership

moneylion payday loan app
MoneyLionā€™s personal loans and easy-to-use tools help you borrow for less while saving more, improve your financial health, and monitor your credit all in one place.

This payday loan app packs a big punch with a plethora of features that can help you. MoneyLion provides you with access to 0% APR cash advances, low-interest personal loans, helps track spending and savings.

The app also provides financial advice to help you improve and control your financial life. It is no surprise that the MoneyLion community has over 2,000,000 members.

How MoneyLion works:
  1. Download the MoneyLion app and enroll in free MoneyLion Core. Receive your new black debit card in approximately 7 days.
  2. Fund your MoneyLion Checking account with an instant transfer, and then use it everywhere you go with no fear of hidden fees, overdraft fees, or minimum balance fees!
  3. Add direct deposit of just $250 or more to your MoneyLion checking account to unlock instant 0% APR cash advances.
  4. Upgrade your membership to MoneyLion Plus to get any time access to a 5.99% APR credit-builder loan, $1 daily cashback, exclusive perks, and more.

Since this app has so many bells and whistles you can learn more in a comprehensive MoneyLion review that goes through each feature. MoneyLion is a wonderful choice for people who want to improve their financial situation, but cannot due to high-interest loan rates and many others. It helps them take control of their financial lives and improve their savings and can be downloaded for iOS or Android.

Get up to $250
MoneyLion
4.5
  • The maximum advance is $250
  • No interest. No monthly fee. No credit check
  • Link your checking account to qualify for 0% APR cash advances
Open Account MoneyLion Review

Where to get it?

Brigit Loan App: Best for Saving on Overdraft Fees

brigit payday loan app
Never run short on cash again with Brigit. Get budgeting tools, alerts, and up to $250 when you need it. No credit check. No interest.

With the Bridgit app, you can get up to $250 with no interest or credit check quickly. Itā€™s easy and fast relief when you need it and helps you avoid low balances.

If you have a low balance in your checking account, Brigit will see that your balance isnā€™t enough for upcoming expenses and send you up to $250 to cover your expenses. You can save hundreds by avoiding overdraft fees with this app.

How Brigit works:
  1. No red tape. No hoops. Connect your bank account and thatā€™s it!
  2. Brigit works with thousands of banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, TD Bank, Chase, Navy Federal Credit Union and 15,000+ more.
  3. Get paid up to $250 instantly.

This is best for those users who keep low balances in banking accounts and are prone to overdraft. You can learn more here.

Get up to $250
Brigit
4.0
  • Tap to get an advance within seconds
  • Get up to $250
  • No credit check is required and no interest
  • Pay it back without hidden fees or ā€œtips"
Open Account Brigit Review

Where to get it?

2. Sell your junk for fast cash

Free Gift Cards

Run a look through your house, arrange that cluttered cupboard/ bookshelf, or take a glance at gifts you have received during the previous years.

You might find something to put on sale using selling apps like Craigslist, LetGo, Buffalo Exchange and many more. If you arenā€™t using the stuff or books have dust on them, it means they are not needed.

Instead, pawn or sell those books, clothes, used furniture, used phones, utensils any other possession thatā€™s taking up space in your house so that you make room for that desperately needed cash.

You might come across unused gift cards that are lying and not expired yet. Of course, you cannot put them for sale online but you can reach your family and friends who are willing to buy them.

You can also check out our article detailing 14 Ways to Make $50 Fast.

3. Get your owed money

small investment opportunities

Put some strain on your memory and recall if you have lent cash to any of your friends, acquaintances or family members in the past.

If yes, itā€™s time to pick up your phone and ask them to pay back! They can understand your situation and pay your cash back. Do the same to collect debts from others whom you have helped in need.

4. Get a salary advance

career advice for millennials in the workplace

This might sound a little unusual but you wonā€™t know if you donā€™t approach your employer. If you have built that rapport and trust just give it a try.

It might work for you and your boss or employer will probably grant you an advance on your paycheck.

If you get an advance of say $500 you can pay back $250 from the next two paychecks. Just make sure you pay back in time in whatever parts you can.

5. Get a credit card advance

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It is basically a short-term loan taken on a credit card credit line. When you are short of cash this option seems tempting just to pay that odd bill or purchase something online.

It seems as simple and convenient as going to an ATM, swiping the credit card with the correct pin and get the cash withdrawal done.

The catch is heavy credit fees applied for such cash advances on credit cards. Also, this might work only if you have a good credit score. What if you donā€™t have a credit card at all? Read on there are options better than this.

6. Get refunds for soda cans

how to get a raise a work

Many stores provide 30 days or 90 days return policy. So if you bought something new during the last few months and its unused return to the store and get some quick cash.

There are around 10 states with bottle bill, so if you reside in one collect empty soda cans at home, work and ask friends to donate it so that you can carry them to the store for the refund.

7. Get a personal loan even if you have bad credit

credit cards 101

You can apply for online personal loans as they are convenient, safe, and secure without having to leave the comfort of your house. Personal loan lenders will usually help you bridge the gap between paychecks and keep you guarded against loan sharks. Proven that you wonā€™t pay a lot for short-termed payday loans, be careful that you do not miss even a single repayment.

Just remember that if you actually need money now, then you can opt for a personal loan. When you need money in a hurry ZippyLoan is where to go. You apply for a loan through the Zippy Loan site, if approved they send your loan application to one of many loan providers.

You review the loan details and e-sign if you like what you see. No risk in checking what offers youā€™ll get. You can borrow between $100 and $15,000 as soon as tomorrow. Loans service up to 60 months.

ZippyLoan connects borrowers to lenders through their network of lenders. Theyā€™ll find you the lowest interest rate and is one of the best no credit check loan. You can visit ZippyLoan here.

For excellent credit
  • Rating:
  • Rate: 8.99-25.81%
For good credit
  • Rating:
  • Rate: 8.49-35.97%
For poor credit
  • Rating:
  • Rate: 6.70-35.99%
For no credit
For excellent credit
Rating:
Rate: 8.99-25.81%
For good credit
Rating:
Rate: 8.49-35.97%
For poor credit
Rating:
Rate: 6.70-35.99%
For no credit
Rating:
Rate: 9.99-35.99%

8. Go for a personal installment loan

pay off payday loans

Sometimes you might be allowed a little longer to payback for a cash loan. Personal installment loans can be short term or long term depending on loan amount.

It can fulfill your financial need for today by allowing you to pay back one installment period at a time instead of lump-sum on next paycheck.

Remember it is a short-term lending solution for temporary financing needs, not a replacement for long-term financial arrangement.

Hence choose responsibly and apply for a loan that you would be able to repay. Follow the above tips and tricks, keep calm and let the latter take care of the rest!

Disclosures

*Chime SpotMe is an optional, no fee service that requires a single deposit of $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to the Chime Checking Account each month. All qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their account up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially, but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on memberā€™s Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your limit. Your limit may change at any time, at Chimeā€™s discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe wonā€™t cover non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. See Terms and Condition
^Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
1 Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.

Get up to $250 today
Albert
5.0
  • Get spotted up to $250 without fees
  • Join 10+ million people using the finance super app
  • Banking with instant discounts on gas, food delivery, groceries and more
  • Start investing, saving, and budgeting for free
JOIN ALBERT NOW

About the author

Brian Meiggs
Brian Meiggs is a personal finance expert, and the founder of My Millennial Guide, a personal finance site helping you unlock the wealth of freedom. He helps millennials follow the smart money in order to increase their earning potential and start building wealth for the future. He regularly writes about side hustles, investing, and general personal finance topics aimed to help anyone earn more, pay off debt, and reach financial freedom. He has been quoted as a top personal finance blogger in major publications including Business Insider, Yahoo! Finance, NASDAQ, Discover, Fox News, MSN Money and more.

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