Whether you need a quick influx of cash or want to get rid of a valuable possession, a pawn shop is a great option. Pawn shops accept valuable possessions as collateral and grant short-term loans. You can expect to receive 30-50% of the item's value in cash, but you may need to pay interest.

The best pawn shops will be upfront about what they are doing and have friendly staff. They should also be able to answer any questions that you have. The store should also have a good selection of items...