If you’re in a bind today, but don’t want to fall victim to payday loans, there are several alternative methods available. Learn how to avoid these payday loans, compare their rates and costs, and consider using peer-to-peer lending websites. These methods may provide you with the funds you need quickly.
Alternatives to payday loans
If you’re facing a crisis, there are plenty of alternatives to payday loans. Payday loans are short-term cash advances from private companies that you pay back on your next payday. However, they can be expensive and carry high interest rates. If you’re looking for fast cash, you’d be better off looking for an alternative that you can afford.
Credit cards, for example, offer cash advances that are often lower-cost than payday loans. You can even find specialized credit card companies that cater to people with poor credit histories or financial problems. Some of these companies also offer secured credit cards that are tied to savings accounts. If you’re able to meet their minimum credit requirements, you can then apply for regular unsecured credit cards.
Cost of payday loans
The cost of payday loans can vary widely by state. State laws and regulations set limits on how much a loan can cost, and they require that consumers repay the loan in affordable installments. However, the cost of payday loans in some states is significantly higher than in others. The study relies on state regulatory reports and published product pricing from six of the largest U.S. payday loan chains.
The cost of a payday loan depends on how much you borrow, but the average fee is around $15 for every $100 you borrow. Fees for late payments and returned checks can vary significantly as well. Some states don’t allow these fees, and those that do may have a limit on how many times they can be charged.
Rates of payday loans
The interest rates on payday loans can be extremely high. These loans can often add up to more than 500% per year, even if they are only for a short period of time. When these loans are first introduced, they were mostly unregulated. However, since 2015, they have been subject to tighter regulations. Lenders are now required to list their rates on price comparison sites and provide a link to their website. They are also no longer allowed to force borrowers to pay more than 0.8% of the borrowed amount a day. Further, borrowers will never have to pay more than 100 percent of the loan amount.
Payday loans are generally unsecured loans, so they do not require collateral. This means that people with bad credit may still be able to get one, which makes them a more affordable option. However, the high interest rates and fees make it more difficult to repay the loan. This can lead to a cycle of debt that is difficult to escape.
Peer-to-peer lending sites
Peer-to-peer lending sites can help you get the cash you need quickly. Unlike traditional banks, these sites allow you to apply for a payday loan without leaving your home. Once you get approved, repayments can automatically be deducted from your bank account. This can make it easier to manage your finances.
A peer-to-peer lender usually offers decent rates to borrowers with fair credit. Many even offer loans to those with credit scores as low as 600. These sites are able to offer decent rates because they have few overhead expenses and rely on investors to provide the funding. Additionally, these loans require no collateral, so the rate and interest will be lower than with traditional lenders.