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I Need Money Fast: 20+ Ideas to Borrow or Make Quick Cash

Compare quick financing options for good, fair and bad credit.

For money management tools

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  • $5.99 monthly membership fee
  • Borrow up to $250
  • No credit check required
  • No interest on cash advances
  • Connect bank account to access cash advance

Good for no-fee, 0% interest cash advances

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  • Borrow up to $750 per pay period
  • No credit check
  • No monthly fees or interest

Good for borrowing more

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  • Borrow up to $4,000
  • Get cash as soon as same business day
  • Easy application
  • Quick approval

Need money fast? There are lenders that offer same-day or even instant cash advances and lenders that work with borrowers who have good or bad credit. Fast funding has traditional requirements, such as being at least 18 years old and having a regular income. You’ll likely pay more for the convenience of getting a loan immediately, since fast loans are often more expensive than loans with a longer turnaround time.

12 fast loans for bad credit

If you have poor credit and need cash quickly, then a payday loan, short-term loan or cash advance app are a few options. While many payday lenders and cash advance providers don’t have strict credit score requirements — and may not even check your credit — these loans can get pricey. You can read more about a specific lender by selecting Read Review or Go to site.

ProviderLoan TypeTurnaround timeMin credit scoreRates or fees
OpploansInstallment loan1 business dayNone160% - 179% APR APR, varies by lender
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AlbertCash advance appInstantNone$14.99/month
EarnInCash advance app1 to 3 business days or instant for a feeNoneFree
Ace Cash ExpressPayday loanAs soon as same business dayNoneVaries by state
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DaveCash advance appUp to 3 business days or instant for a fee up to $25NoneRequires monthly membership fee (undisclosed)
LendYouConnection serviceAs soon as same business dayVariesVaries by lender
Go to site
CleoCash advance app3 to 4 days or instant for a fee. of $3.99 to $9.99None$5.99 a month
BrigitCash advance app2 to 3 business days or instant with a Premium subscription or for a fee.None$8.99 to $14.99 monthly membership fee
OneMain FinancialPersonal loanAs soon as the same dayVaries18% to 35.99%
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Chime MyPayCash advance appWithin 24 hours or instant for a fee of $2NoneFree
Check Into CashPayday loan1 to 2 business daysNoneVaries
Read review
Speedy CashPayday loan1 business dayVariesVaries
Read review

7 fast loans for good and fair credit

These lenders can be a good option if you have a credit score of 580 or higher, and you want to avoid the high rates of payday lenders or cash advance apps. Plus, you could get your loan funded within one business day if you apply online.

ProviderTurnaround timeMin credit scoreRates
Upstart1 to 3 business days3007.40% to 35.99%
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Upgrade1 to 4 business days5809.99% to 35.99%
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LightstreamAs soon as the same day6607.49% to 25.49%
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RocketloansAs soon as the same day6409.116% to 29.99%
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AvantAs soon as the next business day5809.95% to 35.99%
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CredibleAs soon as 1 business dayFair to excellent credit6.99% to 35.99%
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BestEggAs soon as the next business day6407.99% to 35.99%
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How to apply for a fast-money loan

Follow these steps to help you borrow money as fast as possible.

  1. Check your bank or credit union. Call, stop by or look on the website to see if it offers fast personal loans that you can qualify for. If available, this option could be your fastest and least expensive.
  2. Check your credit score. Get an estimate of your credit rating before you compare lenders so you don’t waste time with providers you can’t qualify with.
  3. Compare all options available to you. Look into all options available to people with your credit score, income and state of residence. One easy way to do this is to use a connection service to prequalify with multiple lenders.
  4. Get your documents ready. Have PDFs ready for applying, such as your last three bank statements and a copy of your most recent pay stubs, proof of residence, valid ID, etc. Having these items ready can speed up the process.
  5. Apply. If you’re applying online, you typically need to fill out a form with information about your income, debts and personal finances.
  6. Review and sign the contract. Make sure you understand the costs, loan terms and when your payments are due. Also, look out for any information about late or prepayment penalties.

8 ways to borrow money fast

Depending on your credit score and income, you may have less emergency fast-funding loan options. Banks and credit unions typically require a good credit score, but even if you’re lacking in that department, there are multiple routes to explore if you need money fast.

1. Credit card cash advance

  • Turnaround: Instant
  • Amount: Up your to borrowing limit

If you already have a credit card, you can withdraw a cash advance from any ATM. But this can be one of the most expensive options out there — even more expensive than payday loans for smaller amounts.

2. Pawn shops

  • Turnaround: Instant
  • Amount: 40% to 60% of the item’s value

If you have valuables like jewelry or electronics, you can often pawn them for around 40% to 60% of their value. You’ll get your money instantly — and your item back after you repay the money plus interest, at rates sometimes as high as 200%. However, you have a limited time to retrieve your item, usually up to 30 days.

3. Personal loan with your bank

  • Turnaround: Same day to one business day
  • Amount: Typically up to $50,000

Some banks offer fast, low-cost personal loans to current customers in good standing. If approved, you won’t have to wait for an ACH transfer — and you’ll usually get your funds that day.

4. Personal loan with your credit union

  • Turnaround: Same day to one business day
  • Amount: Typically up to $50,000

Credit unions work similarly to banks and often offer lower rates to people with fair credit. They also usually have options for borrowers who need smaller loan amounts. But for a fast loan, you may need to already be a member in good standing.

5. Payday lenders

  • Turnaround: Same-day funding
  • Amount: Around $100 to $500

Payday lenders often offer between $100 and $500 in same-day loans if you apply at a location or the next business day if you apply online. A few lenders will pay a percentage of your paycheck. But these often come with rates as high as 700% APR, and you risk getting caught in a cycle of debt. Consider other options first.

6. Cash advance apps

  • Turnaround: Same-day funding to three business days
  • Amount: Around $50 to $600

You can check out cash advance apps like EarnIn if you’re an hourly worker and try to get an advance on wages you’ve already earned this pay cycle. Instead of interest, you may have to pay for a monthly subscription. Many offer instant or same-day funding, though faster transfers usually carry a fee.

7. Online lenders

  • Turnaround: Next business day funding
  • Amount: Varies

Online lenders use algorithms instead of bankers to underwrite their loans, meaning you can get approved within minutes. But it usually takes a day to transfer the funds to your bank account. Online loans are easier to qualify for than a traditional bank loan, though rates may be higher.

8. PTO cash advance

  • Turnaround: As little as minutes after approval
  • Amount: Varies

A PTO cash advance can offer you a way to turn your hard-earned PTO into cash when you’re in a pinch. How much you qualify for depends on how much unused PTO you have. In some cases, you’ll make interest-only monthly payments on your loan until you leave your job or your term is up.

Loans below $1,000

Many personal lenders have minimum loan amounts starting at $1,000. If you need less than that, then a payday lender may be the route for you. Just keep in mind that it can be a pricey option.

What to watch out for with fast loans

Fast loans can help you out in an emergency, but they can come with some major drawbacks.

  • High interest rates and fees. The fastest loans often cost more than traditional loans. Payday loan APRs can often top 700%.
  • Short repayment periods. Payday loans can require repayment within a few weeks or a month, which can be difficult to afford. Plus, if you roll over your repayment, you’re typically charged an additional fee.
  • Cycle of debt. If you roll over your loan more than once, you could end up racking up fees at a rate that makes it difficult to repay. This situation is called a debt cycle, which can lead to default. In the worst cases, your lender could even sue you for nonpayment.

Other ways to generate fast cash

Sometimes it makes more sense to find other ways to get some extra cash rather than taking out a loan. Consider these ways to generate cash if you need money fast.

  • Sell stuff online. If you have anything of value you don’t need — such as old electronics, clothing or furniture — you could try selling it online. Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist are two options. Just watch out for scammers.
  • Sell your gift cards. Websites like CardCash and others allow you to sell your gift cards for cash, although you won’t get the full value. In some cases, it could take a few days to receive funds, especially if you have to mail the card in.
  • Short-term gig work. You can search Craigslist or other sites to find listings for short-term work that pays upon completion of the job.
  • Dog walking. Are you a dog lover? You could sign up with a dog walking service like Rover or ask friends or family if they need any dog walking or pet-sitting services.
  • Ridesharing or delivery services. If you have a reliable vehicle, you could drive for a ridesharing or delivery service to make some extra money. Uber even has an option where you can cash out your earnings up to six times a day.
  • Look for community assistance. Many federal, state and local agencies can provide assistance to those in need if you’re short of cash for necessities like food, rent or utilities.
  • Tap into your retirement account. If you have an individual retirement account (IRA) or a 401(k), you may be able to dip into those savings if you really need to. However, you may have to pay taxes or penalty fees, and if you don’t repay it, you’re shorting yourself for your retirement years.
  • Ask for an advance on your paycheck. Rather than paying fees and subscription charges from a cash advance app, you could ask your boss to float you some cash until your next payday.
Megan B. Shepherd's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Megan B. Shepherd as part of our fact-checking process.
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Written by

Writer

Lacey Stark is a freelance personal finance writer for Finder, specializing in banking, loans, investing, estate planning, and more. She has 20 years of experience writing and editing for magazines, newspapers, and online publications. A word nerd from childhood, Lacey officially got her start reporting on live sporting events and moved on to cover topics such as construction, technology, and travel before finding her niche in personal finance. Originally from New England, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and completed a postgraduate journalism program at Metropolitan State University also in Denver. She currently lives in Chicagoland with her dog Chunk and likes to read and play golf. See full bio

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84 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    GladisAugust 19, 2017

    Sir can you tell me the names of lenders that are legitimate and that lends globally as i am from India and i can’t find any legitimate lenders for a long term loan.
    Thank you

      Default Gravatar
      ArnoldAugust 19, 2017

      Hi Gladis,

      Thanks for your inquiry.

      I am afraid, we are not allowed to specify lenders.

      the eligibility criteria may differ between lenders your location, you may have to check this out before applying and you’ll need to be over a certain age, you may also need to be a permanent resident and prove that you’ll be able to repay the loan. If you’re looking at applying online, you’ll need to have an operational checking account as well.

      Hope this information helped.

      Cheers,
      Arnold

    Default Gravatar
    MerchiorAugust 9, 2017

    Am I eligible to borrow money?
    Am from Africa exactly in Rwanda

      AvatarFinder
      HaroldAugust 9, 2017Finder

      Hi Merchior,

      Thank you for your inquiry.

      Eligibility criteria differ between lenders and states, so you’ll need to check this before applying. Generally, you’ll need to be over a certain age (this can range from 18-21), be a US citizen or permanent resident and show that you”re able to repay the loan. If you’re applying online, you’ll need to have an operational checking account as well.

      I hope this information has helped.

      Cheers,
      Harold

    Default Gravatar
    LilyJuly 8, 2017

    Hi, I don’t have a job at the moment and I have bad credit can I still get a loan?

      AvatarFinder
      AnndyJuly 8, 2017Finder

      Hi Lily,

      Thanks for your question.

      We do have a list of personal loans for unemployed applicants. Kindly review the eligibility criteria of the loan before submitting your application to know if it is the right choice for your needs.

      Cheers,
      Anndy

    Default Gravatar
    ArchitaJune 25, 2017

    Hi I need 20,000 urgent I have less time please help me?

      AvatarFinder
      HaroldJune 25, 2017Finder

      Hi Archita,

      Thank you for your inquiry.

      Typically, the approval may vary depending with the lender. What you can do are the following:
      1. Compare the loan options available on this page. You can locate the comparison table in section “Short term loan — possibly get money the next day”
      2. Once you have decided click the “go to site” button to be redirected to the lender’s page.
      3. Review their offer and if it fits your personal requirements you can continue your application with your preferred lender.

      I hope this information has helped.

      Cheers,
      Harold

    Default Gravatar
    NomalungisaJune 15, 2017

    I need money now please help me. If u borrow me R4000

      AvatarFinder
      MayJune 15, 2017Finder

      Hi Nomalungisa,

      Thanks for reaching out.

      I’m afraid that the loans listed on our pages are available to people in the USA only, so you’d be best to get in touch with a bank or a lender in South Africa instead.

      I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help.

      May

      Default Gravatar
      DoraOctober 10, 2017

      I need urgently 200000dhms for 2 yrs plz help me 0561041782

      AvatarFinder
      JudithOctober 10, 2017Finder

      Hi Dora,

      Thanks for contacting finder, a comparison website and general information service.

      Please note that the loan options that we currently feature on our US finder pages are only applicable within the US and the lenders that we feature on our pages could only cater to loan applicants who are either residents or citizens of the US or to US visa holders who are currently residing in the US.

      Please get in touch with your local banks or lenders for possible loan options that you may apply for in your region.

      Best regards,
      Judith

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