Cash Estimate Calculator
Calculate Your Cash Potential
Estimate how much cash you could get from selling items you no longer need. Enter quantities of items you'd like to sell and see your total potential cash value.
Estimated Cash Value
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Pro Tip: Price 20% below market value to sell fast. Most sales happen within 48 hours if you're realistic.
It’s January 2026, and your car just broke down. The fridge stopped working. Your kid needs medicine, and your bank account is at zero. You’ve checked every app, called three lenders, and got rejected everywhere. Cash without loan isn’t a fantasy-it’s a daily reality for thousands in Ireland. You don’t need a bank’s permission to get money when you’re in a pinch. Here’s how real people do it, without going deeper into debt.
Sell Something You Don’t Need
Most people have stuff gathering dust. A gaming console you haven’t touched since 2022. A designer coat you wore once. A set of dumbbells bought during lockdown. These aren’t clutter-they’re cash waiting to be unlocked.
In Dublin, Facebook Marketplace and DoneDeal are flooded with buyers looking for used electronics, furniture, and tools. A working laptop from 2021? You can get €200-€350. A decent set of kitchen knives? €40-€80. Even old books, vinyl records, or collectible toys can bring in €10-€50 each.
Take clear photos. Write honest descriptions. Price 20% below market value to sell fast. Most sales happen within 48 hours if you’re realistic. You don’t need to wait for the perfect buyer. Get €150 today instead of hoping for €250 next week.
Use a Pawn Shop or Cash for Gold
Pawn shops aren’t just for desperate people-they’re a fast, legal way to turn valuables into cash without credit checks. Places like Irish Pawnbrokers in Dublin and Gold Buyers Ireland in Cork will give you cash on the spot for:
- Gold jewelry (even broken pieces)
- Watches (Rolex, Seiko, Casio-yes, even Casio)
- Smartphones and tablets
- High-end cameras or musical instruments
You walk in with your item. They test it. They offer you cash. You sign a simple pawn ticket. You get your item back if you repay the loan within 3-6 months. If you don’t, they sell it. No credit score. No bank account needed. One store in Dublin gives €120 for an iPhone 12 in good condition. That’s immediate rent money.
Get Paid for Your Skills-Today
Do you know how to fix a leaky tap? Write a decent email? Walk a dog? Take photos? You can turn those skills into cash within hours.
Apps like TaskRabbit and Airtasker are active in Ireland. Post a gig: “I’ll assemble your IKEA furniture for €30.” Or “I’ll clean your gutters for €40.” People pay cash on delivery. No bank transfer delays.
Even small gigs add up. Babysitting for two hours? €25. Washing a car? €20. Helping someone move boxes? €35. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to show up on time.
Ask Your Employer for an Advance
Most people don’t realize their employer can give them part of their next paycheck early. It’s not a loan-it’s an advance. And it’s legal.
Call your manager. Say: “I’m going through a rough patch and need €100-€200 from my next paycheck. I’ll pay it back in full when I get paid. Can we arrange that?”
Many small businesses do this. Especially in retail, hospitality, and care work. They’d rather give you €150 now than lose you to stress or a job change. You’re not asking for charity-you’re asking for flexibility. And most managers will say yes if you’ve been reliable.
Apply for a Community or State Grant
The Irish government and local charities offer emergency cash grants. You don’t need to be homeless to qualify. You just need to show you’re struggling.
- Exceptional Needs Payment from the Department of Social Protection: Up to €950 one-time, no repayment. Apply online at welfare.ie.
- Crisis Payment: For urgent needs like food, heating, or rent. Same process.
- Local charities: Focus Ireland, St. Vincent de Paul, and food banks in Dublin often give cash vouchers for essentials.
These aren’t loans. You don’t pay them back. You don’t need perfect credit. You just need to fill out a simple form and prove your income is low. Many people get approved within 24-48 hours.
Use a Credit Union Emergency Loan (Not a Payday Loan)
Payday lenders? Avoid them. They charge 1,000% APR. A €200 loan can cost you €400 in fees.
But credit unions? They’re different. They’re local, not-for-profit, and they know their members. Many offer emergency loans with interest rates under 10%-even if you have bad credit.
Go to your local credit union. Bring your ID, PPS number, and proof of income. Tell them you need €200-€500 for an emergency. They’ll ask you to join if you’re not already a member (it costs €1). Then they’ll approve you within 24 hours. Repayments are spread over 6-12 months. No hidden fees. No pressure.
There are over 100 credit unions in Ireland. You don’t need to live in their area-many accept members from any county.
Ask Family or Friends-The Right Way
Asking for money from loved ones feels scary. But it doesn’t have to ruin relationships.
Be clear. Be honest. Be respectful.
Say: “I’m stuck and need €300 for my car repair. I can pay you back in three months. Here’s my plan: I’ll give you €100 on the 15th of each month. If I miss one, I’ll let you know right away.”
Write it down. Even a simple text message counts. “Thanks for helping me out. I owe you €300 and will pay it back by April 15.” That’s it. No drama. No guilt. Just accountability.
People want to help. They just don’t know how unless you ask properly.
Stop the Cycle: What Not to Do
Don’t use payday lenders. Don’t take out a credit card cash advance. Don’t sell your phone on a shady online forum. Don’t borrow from unlicensed lenders-those are illegal loan sharks.
Every one of those options traps you in debt that grows faster than you can pay it. They don’t solve your problem. They just make it bigger.
Real solutions are simple: sell, work, ask, apply. They take effort, but they don’t cost you your future.
What to Do Next
Right now, pick one thing from this list and do it today.
- Take five photos of something you can sell. Post it on Facebook Marketplace.
- Call your credit union. Ask if they offer emergency loans.
- Go to welfare.ie and check if you qualify for a Crisis Payment.
- Text your boss: “Can we talk about an advance on my next paycheck?”
You don’t need to fix everything at once. Just get one source of cash flowing. That’s the first step out of panic.
Money problems don’t define you. How you handle them does. And you’re already ahead of most people just by reading this.
Can I get cash without a bank account?
Yes. Pawn shops, cash-for-gold stores, and some community grants give you cash in hand without needing a bank account. You can also get paid in cash for gigs like cleaning, babysitting, or moving items. You don’t need a bank to receive cash.
How fast can I get money from a credit union emergency loan?
Most credit unions in Ireland approve emergency loans within 24 hours if you have your documents ready. Some even pay out the same day if you visit in person during business hours. It’s faster than traditional banks because they’re local and not automated.
Is it better to sell something or borrow from family?
It depends. Selling gives you cash with no strings attached. Borrowing from family keeps your assets but requires trust and repayment. If you can sell the item without emotional loss, go for it. If the item is irreplaceable or sentimental, borrowing might be better-as long as you repay on time.
What if I have bad credit and need €500 right now?
Bad credit doesn’t block you from pawn shops, selling items, or emergency grants. For a €500 loan, your best bet is a credit union. They don’t rely on credit scores. They look at your income and repayment plan. Apply in person. Bring pay stubs. Tell them your situation. Many will approve you even with a past default.
Are there any government grants for rent help in Dublin?
Yes. The Exceptional Needs Payment and Crisis Payment from the Department of Social Protection can cover rent arrears. You must apply online or at your local Intreo office. You’ll need proof of rent, income, and your current situation. Many Dubliners get approved within two days.
Can I get cash from my pension early?
Generally, no. You can’t access your pension early unless you’re over 50 and meet strict conditions. Even then, it’s not cash-it’s a transfer. Don’t try to cash out your pension to solve a short-term problem. It will hurt you long-term. Look at other options first.
Final Thought
You don’t need a loan to survive. You need a plan. And you already have the tools: your skills, your stuff, your community, your rights. Use them. One step at a time. The money will follow.