Marcus Richards
Millions of families across the United States continue to experience financial difficulties related to the coronavirus pandemic. Congress came together long enough to get a stimulus measure passed earlier this year, but it soon became clear another one would be needed.
Unfortunately, lawmakers have failed to get a second stimulus bill to the desk of the oval office. In the meantime, average Americans are forced to find other ways to get the money they desperately need. The following are the five most popular methods of doing so on short notice:
Borrow
The simplest way to get cash fast is to borrow money. Consumers can search for New Mexico installment loans, and those available in other states, as possible options to explore if they’re ever tight on funds between paychecks. However, it’s imperative for individuals to carefully read over their loan agreement’s terms and conditions before agreeing to borrow the money. Interest rates and monthly payments depend on various factors, including the lender, borrower’s credit history, and the type of loan.
Earn
The most effective method of getting money is to earn it the old-fashioned way: through hard, honest work. Today’s gig economy enables almost anybody to make extra money with a side hustle. The most popular options involve driving, whether it’s food delivery, rideshare, or running errands for people. It’s a simple matter of turning on an app and accepting service requests. Most allow you to instantly deposit your earnings into your bank account, making it especially useful for emergencies.
Sell
Not everyone has a vintage car collecting dust in a garage or a cache of jewelry they can part with easily. However, most of us have a handful of moderate value items that we probably aren’t using or getting much enjoyment from owning. Consider selling items online to get some quick cash on the fly. It can be the difference between paying bills on time and falling behind.
Pawn
Another option for using valuables to get cash is to pawn them rather than sell. You’re exchanging items for a loan with the intent to pay back the debt and get your items back. If you don’t pay the pawnshop back, they keep the items. Choosing to pawn your possessions is the smart move if you’re expecting to have an uptick in income in the future but are currently coming up short. Avoid pawning anything you couldn’t afford to lose in the event you’re unable to repay the loan. It’s also important to keep in mind the amount of money you’ll receive is likely to be much lower than the value of the item getting pawned.
Slash
When was the last time you did an audit on your monthly expenses? Chances are there are a few things you can sacrifice, and those cuts add up. For example, the average American household has four streaming service subscriptions at any one time. Cancel two of those, and you’re saving anywhere between $20 and $60 right there. Keep finding other things to slash to reclaim as much as $200 you’re otherwise just throwing away every month.
There’s no telling when congressional leaders will get around to passing a second stimulus, or if they ever will at all. In the meantime, Americans have to find their own ways to manage financial stress. Let’s hope things get better with the new year.
