The best (and worst) ways to raise fast cash

Pros: We're not talking about toting your Beanie Baby collection to the nearest eBay selling service. If you have tangible assets worth more than, say, $5,000 - for example, artwork, antique furniture or gold jewelry - you might be able to liquidate them via a large auction house such as Christie's or Sotheby's. Just e-mail photos and a description, and they'll give you an estimate of what your pieces could sell for and whether they're interested.

Cons: Certain parts of the art and antiques market have been hit hard by the poor economy, reducing the value of your assets. Paintings by well-known artists have continued to appreciate, but prices of furniture and other antiques have fallen as much as 40% in the past year or so. Auctioneers will charge a flat commission of about 10% to 20% of a $10,000 sale. What's more, you may owe a collectibles tax of 28% on any profits.

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