Need some emergency cash to pay rent? Look no further. These tried and true ideas will get you smiling again before you know it.

• Check your savings account. Pull out what you have. It’s amazing what a person can save if they’re committed to saving, say, 10% each pay period.
• Look into getting help from payday loans. Fill out the paperwork and get your loan the day following your request.
• See if friends or relatives can help you with rent. Get everything on paper so that you can pay them back appropriately. Offer to do some work for them in exchange for their help, such as a month’s worth of housecleaning, wall-washing, gardening, or whatever need you can see that they would be much relieved not to have to deal with.
• Get help from your local church, charity, or government institution.
• Talk to your landlord about the problem. Work out a payment plan to get you caught up, or offer your painting or other upkeep services for a time. Keep an open mind. Sit down with a pen and paper and write down all of the alternatives you can think of, even if you think they sound silly. Go over the list and nail down a couple of options to get you started. It isn’t “silly” if you know how to fix your landlord’s car, for example, and decide to make a trade, helping you both.

There’s no doubt about it. With a bit of thought and action, you will be on your way to paying your rent.