Emergency Money: What To Do If You Need To Pay Bills Now

Keeping up with your bills can be tough, especially if you’re trying to juggle household bills, debt payments, and the day-to-day expenses of raising a family. Even if you stick to your budget, you may need some emergency money to cover your bills. These suggestions can help you get the emergency money you need now to pay your bills.

How to get emergency money now

There are many ways to get emergency money now, including:

Find quick loans to meet your budget

There are many short-term loans available to help you pay for your bills. For example, Advance America offers payday loans that can give you a bit of extra money before your next paycheck. With this emergency money loan, you can get your money as soon as the same day you apply. 

You can also get an installment loan right away and pay it back in smaller, multiple payments over time. 

Be sure to only take out an emergency money loan if you’re sure you can afford the monthly payments. 

Sell unwanted items

You probably have items lying around your home that you don’t use or need. Consider selling these items to get emergency money now by hosting a yard sale or advertising them online on sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Gently used clothing, electronics, kitchen appliances, and sports equipment are examples of items that tend to sell quickly and can help you get some emergency money.

Ask an organization to help

Various national and local organizations help people out when things get tough financially. Don’t hesitate to reach out to these organizations and ask for help with emergency money. Even if they can’t help you directly, they can refer you to other organizations or programs that can. The United Way, The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities USA, and the Jewish Federation of North America are a few examples of organizations that may be able to assist you and a quick call to 211 can often find services in your area that can help in your time of need.

Pick up the phone and negotiate

By picking up the phone and negotiating your bills, you may be able to land more affordable rates and pay for your cable, utilities, cell phone, home security system and other expenses. When speaking to a customer service representative, be honest and say something like “I am considering canceling my service because I can’t afford this bill anymore. Is there anything you can do to help me out?”

If they don’t give you a favorable response, call back another day and try again with a different customer service representative. Being firm, honest, and nice when negotiating bills is sure to pay off. Sometimes a payment plan can be put in place that meets your schedule and keeps your services turned on.

>RELATED: 5 Ways To Get Help Paying Your Electric Bill

Seek credit counseling

If you are overwhelmed by your credit card bills, credit counseling can be a good option. A credit counselor can design a debt management plan, which can help you secure lower interest rates with your creditors. If you decide to go this route, choose a credit counselor from a reputable agency that is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Financial Counseling Association of America.

Start a crowdfunding campaign

Crowdfunding can give you the chance to raise emergency money from your friends and family online. If you’re falling behind on bills because of a job loss, natural disaster, or another unexpected circumstance, consider creating a crowdfunding campaign. GoFundMe is a popular crowdfunding site that you can help you get some emergency money now for bills when things get tough but remember that funds are not released until you meet your goal.

Refinance your loan or credit card

Refinancing involves replacing an existing loan with a new loan that’s more affordable. Consider refinancing if you’re struggling to make your loan or credit card payments. Refinancing can help you get a better interest rate and term so that your payments are more manageable for your current financial situation.

These strategies can help you pay your bills and avoid the financial problems that may arise if you aren’t able to. And when you climb out of your current predicament, be sure to begin planning an emergency fund and look into gigs and other ways to increase your income.

4 types of emergency money loans to pay your bills

Here are some loans that can get you emergency money now:

Payday Loans

Payday loans are small-dollar, short-term loans that can help you cover expenses before payday. You can pay back these emergency money loans in two to four weeks, when you get your next paycheck. Payday loans typically give you a few hundred dollars to cover essential and emergency expenses.

Installment Loans

Installment loans are short-term loans that give you a lump sum of money upfront. You can pay back this emergency money loan over time in fixed monthly payments, or installments. Repayment terms can last from a few months to a few years.

Title loans

Title loans are secured loans that allow you to receive emergency money using your car as collateral. With these loans, the lender will appraise your vehicle, then offer you a loan amount worth 25 to 50% of its value. You can keep driving your car as you repay this emergency money loan.

Line of credit

A line of credit is a flexible loan that lets you draw on money as needed, up to your set credit limit. You can pay back these emergency money loans all at once or over time, and will only pay interest on the amount you borrow.

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What can an emergency cash loan be used for?

Here are some emergency expenses you can use an emergency money loan to cover:

• Medical bills
• Car repair bills
• Home repairs
• Rent
• Funeral costs
• Groceries, gas, and other essential expenses

Which emergency money loan is right for me?

The right emergency money loan for you depends on your financial situation and needs. If you only need a few hundred dollars to tide you over until payday, for instance, then a payday loan may be the right option for you. But if you need a larger sum of emergency money to cover an expense like a car repair or medical bill, you may want to consider an installment loan. Whichever emergency money option you choose, make sure to shop around and compare lenders to find a loan with good rates and terms.

Get the emergency money you need now

Advance America offers emergency money loans that can get you the funds you need as soon as the same day you apply. Our payday loans, installment loans, title loans, and lines of credit come with easy applications and quick approvals. Better yet, you don’t need good credit to get approved for our emergency money loans. Visit Advance America today to learn more about the loans we offer and get quick cash now.