39 Ways to Make Money Fast
Strapped for cash? There's ways to get back on track. Here are 39 reliable ideas to earn money this week, today, and right now.
© CreditDonkey |
Dead car battery. Groceries. Mom's b-day gift.
Any way you slice it…
You need money. And quickly.
Luckily, there have never been more options for making cash fast.
In this guide, we break down all the legit (and legal) ways to make money fast. Plus surprising ways to cut back on your expenses.
- Cut bills with Trim
- Apply for a personal loan
- Pawn your items
- Freelance on Fiverr
- Babysit
- Host a garage sale
- Pet sit with Rover
- Find spare change
- Add up change with Coinstar
- Tutor
- Sell…anything
- Run errands with TaskRabbit
- Use credit card points
- Refinance student loans
- Return purchases
- Take surveys
- Drive for Lyft or Uber
- Recycle
- Deliver groceries
- Ask family for a loan
- Scan receipts with ReceiptHog
- Get a paycheck advance
- Ask for a raise
- Turn gift cards into cash
- Sell clothes
- Unload old electronics
- Become a server
- Try street performing
- Lower bills with Rocket Money
- Earn sign-up bonuses
- Donate plasma
- Rent out a room with Airbnb
- Rent your car out
- Monetize your blog
- Perform tasks on Mechanical Turk
- Make your hobby a business
- Review with UserTesting
- Rent out your parking space
- Get a cash advance
Imagine Living Life Without Debt
- Get a free savings estimate today
- See how quickly you can be debt free
- No upfront fees and no obligation
This rule helps individuals remember the key steps to quickly get cash:
- Find: Identify available resources and options for obtaining money.
- Assess: Evaluate the pros and cons of each option to ensure it meets your needs.
- Secure: Take necessary actions to secure the funds.
- Timely: Ensure the method chosen provides cash in a timely manner.
Save $100+ in Bills with Trim
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Are you paying for a streaming service that you've used twice? You're not alone. Trim can help.
Trim looks for subscription services in your bank statements and lets you cancel them with a simple swipe of a finger.
Trim: Lower Your Internet, Cable and Phone Bills
With Trim, you'll have extra money to spend. But if you have debt, don't spend all your cash on a big purchase.
See how you can be smart with your money and get out of debt fast.
Tackle Debt with a Personal Loan
If you need money fast to get back on your feet, consider getting a personal loan.
Lenders offer unsecured loans (meaning, no collateral) that you pay back over a period of time. Some even work with you to set up a repayment schedule custom to you.
Personal loan amounts range from $5,000-$100,000 with terms of 2-5 years. Read our roundup of the best personal loans for more info.
Get Personal Loan Offers
- Borrow Between $1,000 - $100,000
- Loan Terms from 24 - 84 months
A personal loan is a more long-term solution. If you need more of a quick fix, look no further than the stuff you already own.
Pawn for Quick Cash ⚡
Traditionally, people sold gold and jewelry at pawn shops. But most accept a wide array of household items, including:
- Smartphones
- Cameras
- Flat-screen TVs
- DSLR cameras by Nikon and Canon
- Musical instruments
- Sporting equipment
Don't have anything to give to a pawn shop? The next sites let you offer your writing or programming skills.
Freelance on Fiverr or Upwork
If you're good at writing, graphic design or have other valuable skills, you can make some money with freelance marketplace Fiverr
Gigs can be priced at $5 and up, but keep in mind that Fiverr keeps 20%. Over time, you can build your portfolio of clients and even earn an income by freelancing.
Other freelance sites:
Looking for something more people-oriented? Check out the next apps if you're comfortable cleaning up snack-time mishaps.
Babysit for Fast Cash ⚡
Many of us may have babysat in our early teen years. But as adults, we have more skills that could result in more money, like driving and cooking.
It's a great way to earn, especially if you're good with kids. It can even turn into a successful side gig.
Know a couple with kids? Ask if they need babysitting services. Or look into these websites:
You might not want to go to someone else's house. Find out below how to make money by letting people come to you.
Host a Garage Sale
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Who doesn't love a good yard sale?
Special touches, like offering cold, bottled water on a hot day, could even boost your earning potential. It's all about creating a good environment for shopping.
Want an even lower maintenance option? Take the yard sale online with Craigslist and eBay.
Dealing with people all day can take a toll. If hanging out with animals sounds like a dream, you're in luck...
Pet Sit with Rover
Calling all dog walkers! This gig's for you. When pet owners need to travel without their pets, they'll often hire pet-sitters to help with dog walking, playing, and feeding.
Make sure to check out Rover.com and DogVacay for opportunities - and don't forget to ask for a positive review.
Need more money? It's time to dig deep. As in, "up to your elbows in the couch" deep.
Look for Spare Change ⚡
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Most people have roughly $28 lying around the house. You never know where money might be hiding: Check your closets, desks, and jackets.
Then head out to the car. It's time to dig through the center console, underneath your seat, and anywhere else coins like to hide.
While any extra change is handy, there are methods you can try to make it go even further. Consider using a savings app that invests your spare change and watch it grow over time.
$20 Investment Bonus
- Open an Acorns account (new users only)
- Set up the Recurring Investments feature
- Have your first investment be made successfully via the Recurring Investments feature
What can you do with all that loose change? Turn it into cash, of course. Learn how to turn metal into paper below. (Hint: It's not alchemy.)
Cash Out with Coinstar ⚡
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Many people take their coin jars to one of the over 17,000 Coinstar machines around the country. It's an easy way to cash in, though Coinstar's transaction fee is 12.5% + $0.59.[1]
To skip the fees, think about taking your change to banks that might have their own coin-counting machines. Just be sure to put your coins in rolls (which many banks offer for free).
Helping others might just be the most rewarding way to make money. See how you can make good money while spreading knowledge below.
Earn $50/hour as a Tutor
Were you a Math or English wizard in school? Offer your knowledge to students and earn by tutoring.
All you need is a bachelor's degree, a good internet connection, and a laptop. If you tutor consistently, you could even earn a decent income on the side.
Be sure to check Google Play, the App Store, and other sites for more opportunities:
You might have to work odd hours if you tutor kids online in different time zones. Find out which money-making method offers a ton of flexibility.
Sell…Anything, Anytime
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You really can sell pretty much anything online. It doesn't even have to be your own stuff! Plenty of people have things lying around that they want to get rid of but don't have the time or energy to sell.
Take and post quality pictures, communicate with prospective buyers, and arrange meetups - the sky's the limit with how much you can make.
Other sites to use for selling:
Need money ASAP? Here's what you can do:
- Sell Furniture with Facebook, Craigslist or Letgo
- Donate Life-Saving Plasma
- Recycle Valuable Materials with Earth911
- Pawn Your Treasures
- Find Unclaimed Money with the NAUPA
Another option: Asking friends for a loan might feel uncomfortable, but it doesn't have to be. Find our essential guidelines a little further down.
Make $100 with TaskRabbit
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Download TaskRabbit to your phone and earn fast cash for doing quick errands and services. "Taskers" can pull in about $110 a month doing a range of gigs including handyman work, cleaning, and other services.
To get started, simply provide a government ID and pass TaskRabbit's automated criminal background check process.
Cash in Credit Card Points
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Credit card points are a great way to get fast money in your pocket. (If you have a cash-back credit card, you probably know this already.)
Even travel cards can allow you to redeem for a statement credit.
You also aren't limited to your current statement (perfect for those pricey trips during last year's holidays).
Refinance Your Student Loans
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Got a student loan with an insane interest rate? Refinancing those loans is one of the best methods to get a little relief.
Student loan refinancing is done through a private lender. They combine your loans and set an interest rate based on your credit score.
If your credit score has improved since getting the loan and you want a better interest rate, consider refinancing. You could save thousands over the life of the loan.
Return Recent Purchases ⚡
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When stores ask you if you'd like a receipt, be sure to say yes. If something doesn't work out with the item, you can take advantage of store returns and put a little money back in your pocket.
Even if it's no longer eligible for a cash refund, you can probably still get store credit.
Don't want store credit? Opt out and sell the gift card balance for cash online (more on that later).
Get Paid for Taking Surveys
When companies know what you like and dislike, they can figure out how to appeal to customers just like you. This is why you can get paid to take surveys.
Survey sites pay anywhere from $1-$4 per hour. Survey Junkie and InboxDollars also pay you to do things like watch videos, use social media, and more.
Take Surveys. Get Paid
- Take surveys and earn points
- Redeem points for PayPal or e-Giftcards
Tired of being cooped up all day? Why not take your car for a spin and get paid for it? See more below.
Drive for Lyft or Uber
We've all ridden in an Uber or Lyft. Why not try it out for yourself? If you enjoy driving and meeting new people, it's one way to get money fast.
Driving around can be fun, but if you're worried about the environment, you can make money while helping the planet too.
Recycle Valuable Materials ⚡
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Recycling isn't just for bottles and cans.
Items like scrap metal or car parts can be surprisingly profitable.
Refer to sites like Earth911 to find recycling centers near you. Just be sure to recycle what you can safely (and legally) obtain.
Look for specific requirements to ensure the recycling center will accept your items. You may have to clean or prepare your stuff before bringing it in.
Deliver Take-out or Groceries
As long as people are ordering take-out and shopping online, there's a way you can make money from it.
There are dozens of food delivery apps. For most, all you need is a smartphone, access to a car, and a background check.
The amount you earn varies by app.
When times are tough, some methods of making fast cash just aren't fast enough. If you really need money fast, know that you can ask others for help.
Ask Friends or Family for a Loan ⚡
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Asking for a loan can be awkward, but clear communication and expectations can make it easier for all parties involved.
Keep in mind these guidelines:
- Make sure they can comfortably afford the loan.
- Communicate expectations.
- Be honest about why you need the loan
- Explain why you're asking that specific person.
- Outline how you will repay the loan.
- Discuss what happens if you can't pay the loan back at the agreed-upon time.
- If you can't repay the whole loan at once, pay some of it.
- Give regular updates about any changes to your loan situation.
Scan Receipts with ReceiptHog
Another reason to keep your receipts? ReceiptHog will pay you to scan them (how easy is that?).
All you have to do is snap a pic of your receipt and upload it to the ReceiptHog app.
Each receipt earns points, and once you've earned 1,000, you can redeem them via PayPal or for gift cards to Amazon, Costco, and more.
Similar apps:
Ask for a Paycheck Advance
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With a paycheck advance, you receive a portion of your check before your usual payday.
If you have a good relationship with your employer, asking for an advance usually isn't a big deal.
Just try not to make a habit of it. That may put both you and your employer in an awkward position.
If you don't feel comfortable asking your employer for a paycheck advance, there are payday loan apps and cash advance apps like Dave that you can use to get quick access to your pay.
Ask Your Boss for a Raise
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If you've worked hard, get ready to reap the rewards. The typical raise for top-ranking employees in 2020 is 4.6%.
When you're ready to make the case to your boss, cite specific examples of your good job performance.
A 5% raise would be great, but that's only about $3,500 more per year. Divided by 12 annual salary payments, and you'll only get $290 more in your next check. And that excludes taxes.
Exchange Gift Cards for Cash ⚡
Do you have unused gift cards around your house? (If so, you're definitely not alone!)
But did you know you can turn them in for money? Check to see if there's a CardCash exchange kiosk or vendor near you. You'll be able to get up to 92% of the card's current value.
Other option: GiftCash
Unused items can get you money, but so can used items. Learn how to cash in on your old shirts and shoes below.
Sell Clothes for Cash
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If you've got some old clothes you taking up space in your closet, this option is for you. Services like thredUP, along with typical consignment shops, are a great way to get money for your clothes.
In general, the more valuable your clothes are, the more you can get for them.
Poshmark: $10 Sign Up Bonus
Sign up using your friend's username as referral code. New accounts created with a referral must be associated with a unique identity in order to be eligible for credits.
Sell Old Electronics for $100+
Most homes have about $400-$800 in unused electronics lying around. Not only can you get cash for your old tech, but you can also unclutter your home at the same time.
Check out sites like:
You can get an instant quote for your electronics. Then, print out their free shipping label and get either a PayPal or cash deposit within a week.
Find a Serving Job
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If you need a longer-term solution for cash, a serving job can be a great way to make money.
National chains will tell you to apply online, while mom-and-pop shops are open to talking in person.
If you don't have prior experience, don't worry. Apply for host gigs instead, which many restaurants save for newer workers.
Try Street Performing
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Street performing is a less traditional option, but don't count it out just yet.
With several hours in a tourist locale (and a little creativity), you could get cash for your talent.
Be sure to time your performances right to maximize your earnings. Performing as movies, sports games or concerts get out is a good place to start.
Negotiate Bills with Rocket Money
As more streaming services pop up, it's easy for monthly subscription costs to get out of hand.
That's where Rocket Money comes in.
Their algorithm finds recurring payments in your bank statements. Then, Rocket Money negotiates a lower monthly cost or lets you cancel the subscription altogether.
Typically, Rocket Money saves users 20% on their bills.
Need a safe space to store your income? Put it in a bank and snag the free cash they're offering.
Get a Bank Sign-up Bonus
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At any given time, banks around the country offer these to attract new customers: between $50 and $1,000+.
Just keep in mind that there may be requirements to receive the cash.
The requirements are simple, like keeping a minimum balance. Check out the current Chase bonus offer when you open an account and set up direct deposit.
Be sure to research multiple banks to find the best fit for you.
Chase Total Checking® - $300 Bonus
- New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account with qualifying activities
- With over 4,700 branches, Chase has the largest branch network in the U.S. plus access to more than 15,000 ATMs.
- Chase Mobile® app - Manage your accounts, deposit checks, transfer money and more -- all from your device.
- JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC
- Open your account online now
- Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.
- Chase Overdraft Assist℠ - no overdraft fees if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day or if you're overdrawn by more than $50 and bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day*
Get $400 to Donate Plasma
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While it's not for the squeamish, donating plasma is completely safe and fairly quick.
Donor requirements will vary across donation centers, but most healthy adults are eligible.
Check out the CSL Plasma website to find a donation center near you.
When the process is over, you could walk out with up to $400. Not bad for sitting in a chair for 90 minutes.
Take a look at how you can invite people into your space.
Rent Out a Room with Airbnb
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Airbnb hosts earn around $924 per month. Not too shabby for space you already have!
Whether you rent out your entire home or just a room, it's a pretty easy way to make some money.
Keep in mind that you'll need to provide home essentials and special perks for your guests. Be sure to clean out the clutter and supply new sheets and towels.
Rent Your Car Out
If you have a car and a driver's license, you have everything required to earn the money you need.
Platforms like Turo have been called the "Airbnb" of car rental. Simply rent out your car when you're not using it.
Other sites like Getaround offer additional perks like a $50 credit for you to rent another car from the platform.
Getaround: Earn Money Sharing Your Car
- Make extra money
- Set up your own schedule
- Includes insurance and roadside assistance
Monetize Your Blog
Starting a blog can be a great way to get money, especially through affiliate marketing. For example, if you write about products you like, those companies will pay you to recommend them.
You will earn cash when people click on the affiliate links in your blog post.
You can do even more with hobbies than just write about them. Check out #37 and you could turn your hobbies into a full-time gig.
Perform Microtasks with Amazon
Sign up for Amazon's Mechanical Turk platform and earn by completing a variety of small "human intelligence" tasks.
Companies will crowdsource these tasks to get them done quickly, and they can involve simple actions like data entry, quick surveys, or identifying pictures.
You can earn around $300 a week. Members must complete a certain number of tasks to unlock higher-paying jobs.
Turn Your Hobby Into a Business
If you have a hobby you're passionate about, have you considered turning it into a small business?
Whether you sell products or teach skills, you can earn a profit within the first few months. To boost business, reach out to your personal network to get a potential clientele list. You could even print up a few business cards.
Review Products with UserTesting
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Get cash to share your opinions on products with UserTesting. With a little time, you can eventually earn up to $60 per test.
Companies utilize UserTesting to have their products tested immediately by their target demographic. There's a catch: in order to test products, you have to be in marketing or IT.
Rent Out Parking with Pavemint
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In a large city, it's estimated that cars release around 2.5 million tons of CO2 per year just while they look for parking.
Want to help decrease that number and make a little cash at the same time? Rent out your parking spot.
Pavemint can help you do just that. List your parking spot (residential or business) for an hourly or daily rate and watch the money quickly add up.
Get a Cash Advance ⚡
Your credit card comes with a credit limit, but did you know you have the option to withdraw a portion of that money as cash? Enter: the credit card cash advance.
While they're good for fast cash, they do come with a higher-than-normal interest rate. In fact, interest rates for a cash advance are usually 24%.
Cash advances are considered to be one type of "emergency loan"; keep reading to learn about other loan types and which ones to avoid.
Get up to $750 per paycheck
- Access up to $750 per pay period of money you've already earned.
- No mandatory fees
- No credit check
Get up to $500
- No interest, credit checks, or late fees
- No lengthy application process or waiting period
- Sign up in minutes
Get up to $250 in minutes with Instant Cash
- No interest, late fees, or tipping
- No credit check
- Just $9.99/mo. Cancel anytime
Up to $500 Instacash℠ advances
- Short on cash? Get up to $500 of your pay, any day.
- No interest. No credit check. Enjoy flexible repayment dates.
- Link a checking account with direct deposits to see if you qualify.
Get Up to $200 Now
- Sign up in seconds: Just enter your name, email and phone to get started
- Connect your account: Link your bank, so we know where to send your money
- Access your cash: Get a Klover advance - up to $200 - with no credit check
Borrow $100 to $50,000
- Loans from $100 to $50,000 subject to approval
- Online form takes less than 5 minutes to complete
- If approved, you may get your money in as little as 24 hours
I Need Money. Are loans a good option for me?
If you're in a tight spot financially, you may be wondering if loans are your best option to get fast cash.
Don't get caught in the weeds of interest rates, loans, and lenders. Here are the essentials of loans to keep in mind:
- Emergency loans: This is a blanket term for any fast loan used to pay for emergency expenses. These can include things like payday loans, personal loans, cashback advances, and more.
- Payday loans: As a general rule, payday loans are a very bad idea. The loan is paid in a lump sum, interest rates are sky-high, the lenders are predatory, and they specifically target borrowers with bad credit.
Want the convenience of a payday loan without the crazy interest rates? Check out our guide on payday advance apps to give you a little financial boost before payday.
- Personal loans: These are usually short-term installment loans with no collateral involved. The loans can be for small amounts and the interest rate is usually fixed.
- Cash advances: This is a cash advance on your credit card's credit limit. Just remember that the interest rate is often higher than your normal credit balance.
Keep reading to learn more about which fast money options you should avoid (especially if you already have a bad credit score).
Money Mistakes to Avoid
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When you're desperate for cash, it's easy to make a few missteps. Here are some of the worst things you can do in this situation:
Payday Loans
Payday loans are advances against your paycheck. Although this sounds harmless, the interest rates are astronomical: usually a whopping 391%!
Not only do predatory payday lenders target people with bad credit scores, but payday loans are also expensive and a huge risk.
Other reasons to avoid getting a payday loan:
- Payday loans are paid in one lump sum and usually due in full on the borrower's next payday.
- Payday lenders secure their loans by holding your signed personal check for the loan amount plus their fee, or by gaining electronic access to your bank account.
- Payday borrowers frequently get caught in a cycle of repeat loans that put them in a worse financial position than when they first borrowed.
Remember: Payday loans (and lenders) are bad news. Avoid them at all costs.
Borrowing Against Retirement
You're literally taking money away from yourself. And that's just the beginning of the problems with it.
First, you're getting double-taxed on it because you've already paid taxes on the money deposited, then it's taxed again when you withdraw it. Second, if you're under age 59, you can also get hit with a 10% early distribution penalty.[3]
Finally, you have an opportunity cost missed when you've removed and lowered your retirement investment.
Taking Out a Second Mortgage
With a second mortgage, you'll still have to pay for house appraisal, origination fees, credit checks, and closing costs.
Plus, they're risky. If you stop making payments, your lender could foreclose even if you still have plenty of equity left in it.
Finally, you'll pay interest, which you have to tack on to any monthly payments while still paying your first mortgage.
Racking Up Credit Card Debt
If your credit score is high enough, you can open a credit card and start using it almost instantly. But it's very easy to rack up debt.
Even with a typical APR of 16.27%,[4] carrying small balances can add up over time.
- Don't stress out! We have all gone through periods where our finances were a mess. Maybe it was due to some unexpected life event, maybe it's because you were financially naive. Either way, beating yourself up over the past won't improve your future. All that matters is you start taking steps to improve today.
- Related to not beating yourself up, if you are in debt, don't attempt to pay it off too quickly. One of the biggest reasons people can't escape debt is they attempt to pay off their debt too quickly and do not have an adequate emergency fund.
Without an emergency fund, the first time a car needs a repair, the dog gets sick, or some other all too common life event happens you are forced to whip out the credit cards or apply for personal loans to cover the cost.
Before attempting to pay down debt aggressively, make sure you have a sizable emergency fund and while paying down debt, continue to keep adding to your emergency fund.
Michael Dinich, Founder of Your Money Geek
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding isn't as risky as these other options, but it's still not a great idea. Less than one-third of campaigns reach their goals.
Plus, successful campaigns are usually for severe cases like medical bills or disaster relief. For all the work involved, you're better off trying something else.
To get started follow these steps:
- Set a monthly saving target.
- Transfer remaining money after bills.
- Save your tax refund.
- Increase contributions when possible.
- Get supplemental income to bulk up your emergency fund.
What Experts Say
In an unpredictable job market, you don't have to go it alone. As part of our series on side gigs and employment, CreditDonkey asked a panel of industry experts to answer some of readers' most pressing questions:
- How can parents begin to help their children understand personal finance?
- How do you find your purpose and do what you love?
- Could gig work put an end to traditional employment?
- How is the gig economy changing the workforce?
- What jobs are the happiest?
- What will the future of work look like?
- Why is it so hard for people to stick to a budget?
Here's what they said:
Bottom Line
Who doesn't need a little extra cash? Follow this guide and you can reduce expenses, implement better financial management, and get some extra cash in your pocket.
Don't feel compelled to try all of this at once. Building financial stability takes time. And there's no guaranteed get-rich-quick scheme. But through discipline, due diligence, and research, you will be able to secure a healthy financial future and learn a few new ways for making money.
References
- ^ Coinstar. Coinstar Fees, Retrieved 09/06/2024
- ^ U.S. Census Bureau. Income in the United States: 2021, Retrieved 09/06/2024
- ^ Internal Revenue Service. Retirement Topics - Exceptions to Tax on Early Distributions, Retrieved 09/06/2024
- ^ Federal Reserve Board. Consumer Credit - G.19 (August 2022), Retrieved 09/06/2024
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