How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Fargo.
Quote #1
CARL: What kind trouble are you in, Jerry?
JERRY: Well, that's... that's... I'm not go inta, inta... see, I just need money. Now, her dad's real well off.
We never learn the nature of the original debt Jerry needs to pay off: the Coens kept it intentionally obscure. But obviously he's willing to hatch some dangerous, crazy plan to get money.
Quote #2
JERRY: Well, it's all just part of this - they don't know I need it, see. Okay, so there's that. And even if they did, I wouldn't get it. So there's that on top, then. See, these're personal matters.
CARL: Personal matters.
JERRY: Yah. Personal matters that needn't, uh –
CARL: Okay, Jerry. You're tasking us to perform this mission, but you, you won't, uh, you won't—aw, f*** it, let's take a look at that Ciera.
Carl's greed makes him overlook Jerry's secrecy about his motivations for the kidnapping. If he would've pushed, he might have seen that Jerry was a pretty desperate and pathetic guy who hasn't thought this through at all; he could have backed out of the scheme. But he wants the car.
Quote #3
JERRY: No, see, I don't need a finder's fee, I need a... finder's fee's, what, ten percent? Heck, that's not gonna do it for me. I need the principal!
STAN: Jerry, we're not just going to give you seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars!
Jerry's hoping he can pay off his debt through this deal, instead of going through with the kidnapping scheme. Jerry's not satisfied with Wade's offer; he wants the whole enchilada. We don't know how generous Wade's offer would be, but given his business savvy, not to mention his feelings about Jerry, maybe Jerry knows it wouldn't as much as he needs.