The best ways to borrow money fast are to get a personal loan known for quick approval and funding or to charge your expenses to a credit card. Other ways to borrow money fast include drawing from an existing home equity line of credit, borrowing from a friend, or getting a credit card cash advance. It’s also possible, though far from ideal, to borrow money from a retirement account for fast cash.... read full answer
Ways to Borrow Money Fast
Personal Loan: Funding within 7 business days
It usually takes less than seven business days to get approval and funding for a personal loan. But that might not be fast enough for you, depending on how soon you need the funds. The fastest personal loans come from LightStream, which gives the chance of same-day funding. However, this isn’t guaranteed, and LightStream reportedly requires a credit score of 660+.
Credit Card: Instant funding
For immediate needs, a credit card might be the best choice. If you have a credit card account open already, you can make purchases with it instantly, as long as the charges are less than or equal to your available credit. The best credit cards for financing purchases are ones with introductory 0% APRs, but if you don’t have a credit card yet, it could take a few weeks to get approved and receive one in the mail.
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC): Funding as soon as same day
If you don’t already have a HELOC, you can drop this option from consideration, as HELOCs take multiple weeks for approval and funding. But if you have one open, you’ll be able to borrow up to your credit limit whenever you want.
Cash Advance: Instant funding
You can use a credit card to withdraw money from an ATM, up to a certain cash advance limit set by your issuer. In order to do this, you’ll need a PIN. While cash advances can get you instant money, they charge fees of 3% to 5% of the amount borrowed, and interest starts accruing right away at a high rate.
Borrowing From a Friend: Funding as soon as same day
You can get money from someone else relatively quickly since they won’t make you fill out an application. The terms for the loan can also be as strict or as lenient as the lender wants. But before you get the money, it’s important to write up an agreement and sign it so there’s no conflict over expectations for repayment.
Retirement Account: Funding as soon as same day
You can take money out of your retirement account. But unless you repay that money within 5 years (or earlier if you lose your job), you’ll owe a 10% withdrawal penalty as well as income tax on the money. These loans do charge interest, but it goes back into your retirement account. The point of it is to make up for money you lost while your funds weren’t invested.
Ways to Borrow Money Fast Compared
| Borrowing Method | Fastest Possible Funding | Typical APRs | Other Considerations |
| Personal loan | Same day (usually a few business days) | 4% - 36% | May charge origination fee of 1% - 8% |
| HELOC | Same day (if open already) | 2% - 7% | Secured by your house |
| Credit card purchase | Instant | 20.16% on average | Not accepted everywhere |
| Credit card cash advance | Instant | 22.53% on average | Requires PIN; high fees & APRs; no grace period |
| Borrowing from friend | Same day | N/A | Risk ruining relationship if you can’t repay |
| Retirement account | Same day | Prime rate +1% | Owe 10% early withdrawal penalty and income tax if not repaid in 5 years |
Places to Avoid for Borrowing Money Fast
There are also a few less reliable ways to borrow money fast, like taking out a payday loan or auto title loan, or going to a pawn shop. These places offer same-day funds but have far too high of a cost to be worthwhile.
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