8 Ways to Pay Rent When Money Is Tight

Are you coming up short on your rent payment this month? Finding ways to pay rent isn’t easy if your budget is already maxed, but it’s possible to scrape up money fast to make the payment.

Being proactive can help you avoid an eviction notice. Working with your landlord and finding ways to come up with extra cash can help.

Keep reading for ways to pay rent when you’re short on money.

1. Talk to Your Landlord

If you’re concerned that your rent payment is going to be late, let your landlord know before the due date hits. You have more wiggle room if you approach your landlord instead of waiting for a call about your missed rent payment.

It seems uncomfortable to tell someone that you can’t pay them on time, but your landlord might be willing to work with you. Be honest about your situation, and have an idea of when you’ll be able to pay your rent before you call.

Your landlord might accept a partial payment now and give you a little more time to make the rest of the payment. Have an idea of what arrangement will work best for you before you contact your landlord.

2. Cut Spending Immediately

If you know you’re going to be short on rent, start looking for ways to cut your spending. Can you cancel your gym membership, monthly subscriptions, or other extra payments before they come out this month? You just freed up a little money to go toward your rent.

Look at your spending at the grocery store, restaurants, and other places. By canceling a night out with friends that would cost you $100 or more, you get closer to paying your rent. Choosing a bare-bones menu with cheap home-cooked meals instead of more expensive options or meals out can help you afford your rent.

3. Earn Extra Income

In addition to cutting what you spend, start finding ways to earn extra money. Doing both gives you even more money to put toward rent.

If you’re paid hourly and have the option, pick up extra hours at your current job. You already have the job, so you can earn the extra money quickly. If you work overtime, those extra hours can bump up your pay even faster.

You can also pick up a second job to make your rent more affordable. This can help if you consistently struggle to pay your rent.

It can take a while to find a job, complete the paperwork, and start earning a paycheck. This option might not earn you money fast enough to pay rent that’s due now, but it can help you stay on track for future rent payments.

4. Sell Items

Outside of regular employment, you have options for earning some cash on the side. One of the fastest ways to do that is by selling stuff you already own. Selling it locally through Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or other local sites can get you instant cash that you can put toward rent.

Before selling items, make sure you can actually do without them. Cars and furniture might give you a large amount of money, but you’ll miss those items when you’re gone. If you have to buy new ones to replace them, you’ll likely end up spending a lot more than you get out of them.

5. Make Cash on the Side

You can find other ways to make cash on the side as well. Plasma donation centers often pay for donations. If you’re new to plasma donation, you might qualify for bonuses.

You can also do odd jobs for quick cash, such as helping people move, running errands, doing yard work, or babysitting. Offer up your services on social media, or look in the help wanted section of Craigslist and other sites. Use caution when accepting a job from someone you don’t know.

Ridesharing services, such as Lyft and Uber, and delivery services, such as DoorDash and GrubHub, give you another way to earn cash without committing to a regular job. These services let you take the jobs you want with a flexible schedule that doesn’t interfere with other work.

You might need special insurance to cover you while driving for these services. Your regular car insurance might not pay for accidents if you use your personal vehicle for these services.

6. Borrow From Someone You Know

Borrowing money from friends and family can be risky. If you don’t pay them back, you’ll likely ruin the personal relationship. Make sure you can pay back the loan from your friend or family member, and stick with the repayment to protect the relationship.

7. Consider Getting a Roommate

If you have an extra bedroom, consider getting a roommate at least temporarily. Sharing your space with someone else can cut your rent payment significantly. You can also ask your roommate to pay for part of the utilities, which can ease that financial burden.

Before you start looking for a roommate, review your lease to make sure you’re allowed to have one. You can also talk to your landlord directly to find out if you can have a roommate without breaking your lease agreement.

Decide how long you want a roommate before you start advertising for one. If you only want a temporary roommate, make sure you let people know how long the room is available.

8. Take Out a Loan

If you can’t come up with enough money quickly, you can take out quick loans online to cover the shortfall. These loans are often smaller amounts, but you can get instant approval. The money is often in your bank account the same day or within a few days, which means you can get your rent payment submitted quickly.

Before taking out any type of loan, make sure you understand the terms. Review the fees, interest rates, and penalties for not repaying the loan on time. If you borrow money you can’t repay, you’ll end up in a more difficult financial situation.

Figure Out Ways to Pay Rent

Finding ways to pay rent when money is tight can be difficult. Knowing your options can help ease the financial strain and help you avoid an eviction notice.

Keep reading our money section for more financial tips.