Creative ways to pay rent when the bank account is near zero

Don't Fear the First

When you think you can’t even make rent, the situation can seem pretty dire. But it doesn’t have to be. Instead of figuring out what you have to forgo this month when money is tight, find ways to make the money you need. That doesn’t have to mean a second job or going into debt. Here are five small, simple ways to put extra cash in your bank account so you don’t feel that panic at the first of the month.

Get 3.75% APY and a $30 Bonus With This High-Yield Cash Account

It’s hard not to cringe when you see a bank statement full of fees. With Wealthfront, you can forget those annoying bank fees and earn a whopping 3.75% APY through partner banks on your cash — nearly 10x the national average savings rate.

Enjoy unlimited transfers, same-day withdrawals, zero account fees, and no minimum balance requirements to earn 3.75% APY¹.

The best part? You can get started with Wealthfront with only a $1 opening deposit or snag a $30 bonus² when you deposit $500 or more (terms and conditions apply).³

Join Wealthfront today and make your money work for you— not your bank.

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Get Up to $50,000 From This Company

Need a little extra cash to pay off credit card debt, remodel your house or to buy a big purchase? We found a company willing to help.

Here’s how it works: If your credit score is at least 620, AmONE can help you borrow up to $50,000 (no collateral needed) with fixed rates starting at 6.40% and terms from 6 to 144 months.

AmONE won’t make you stand in line or call a bank. And if you’re worried you won’t qualify, it’s free to check online. It takes just two minutes, and it could save you thousands of dollars.

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Switch Car Insurance and Pocket $859

Cutting your car insurance bill is basically like giving yourself a raise — without asking the boss or working another shift. If you can pay less every month, that’s real cash you get to keep.

Most people have no clue how much they could pocket just by re-shopping their policy. Rates creep up quietly, and insurance companies kind of count on you not noticing. But a free tool from The Penny Hoarder makes it crazy easy to check. In a few minutes, it lines up quotes side by side so you can spot a better deal.

Penny Hoarder readers are saving an average of $859 or more a year. That’s money you can use for literally anything more fun than bills. Just share a few details about yourself and your car, pick the deal you like and voilà. Instant “raise,” no awkward conversation required.

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Slash Your Debt with This Balance Transfer Credit Card — Enjoy No Interest Until 2027

Credit card debt can feel like quicksand. The harder you try to get out, the deeper you sink, thanks to high interest rates. But there’s a way to finally make progress.

Moving your balance to one of Motley Fool Money’s top-rated balance transfer cards could give you a clean slate: 0% intro APR for nearly two years. That means you can focus on paying down what you owe without more interest piling on, and possibly save thousands along the way.

They’ve done the legwork to find the card that actually helps you cut costs, so you know exactly what you’re getting. No gimmicks, just a smarter way to get ahead.If you’re ready to kick high interest to the curb, check out Motley Fool Money’s top pick and start working toward a debt-free 2027.

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Get Paid $225/Month While Watching Movie Previews

You could get paid while watching videos on your computer. It’s too good to be true, right?

But we’re serious. By signing up for a free account with InboxDollars, you could add up to $225 a month to your pocket. They’ll send you short surveys every day, which you can fill out while you watch someone bake brownies or catch up on the latest Kardashian drama.

Unlike other sites, InboxDollars pays you in cash — no points or gift cards. It’s already paid its users more than $56 million. Signing up takes about one minute, and you’ll immediately receive a $5 bonus to get you started.

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Wealthfront High Yield Savings Account Disclaimers

Based on the national average interest rate for savings accounts as posted on FDIC.gov, as of December 16, 2024). FDIC coverage will remain at up to $8 million for individual Cash Accounts ($16M for joint accounts) through partner banks.

Client must maintain $500 by the 30 day mark. See website for details.

Checking features for the Cash Account are subject to identity verification by Green Dot Bank, Member FDIC. Cash account is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC (“Wealthfront Brokerage”;), a Member of FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. We convey funds to partner banks who accept and maintain deposits, provide the interest rate, and provide FDIC insurance. The APY rate listed is as of 09/26/2025 and is subject to change at any time. Fees and Eligibility requirements may apply to certain checking features, please see the Deposit Account Agreement for details. Limits, fees, and exclusions apply. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of money you invest.

Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google, Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Please note, Real-Time Payments (RTP) transfers may be limited by destination institutions,daily transaction caps, and by participating entities such as Wells Fargo and the RTP® Network. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer. Wealthfront doesn’t charge for transfers, but receiving institutions may impose an RTP fee.

The Penny Hoarder receives compensation when a reader clicks on the referral link that redirects them to Wealthfront, which creates a conflict of interest. Penny Hoarder’s opinions in this article are their own and are not tied directly to such compensation. The Penny Hoarder and Wealthfront Brokerage, LLC are not associated with one another and have no formal relationship outside of this arrangement.