If you’re facing unexpected expenses and need extra cash, there are plenty of options available. But before you take out a loan, consider these factors:
Some loan options, like payday loans, come with exorbitantly high fees and interest rates that may be difficult to pay off in a short amount of time. On the other hand, small personal loans offer more reasonable rates which make them easier to repay over time.
Payday Loans
Payday loans are generally small, short-term cash advances that borrowers must repay within two to four weeks. They’re easy to qualify for, but the interest rates may be high.
Before selecting a payday loan, be sure to compare costs and terms carefully. Some alternatives to payday loans may include personal loans or credit cards with lower interest rates.
These can be used for covering emergencies and building an emergency savings account. However, they should never be used as a long-term solution to financial difficulties since they may add hundreds or thousands of dollars in interest charges onto your total debt.
Alternative payday loan options exist through credit unions or online lenders. Usually, these offer lower interest rates and can be funded the next business day; however, you may need to meet other criteria in order to avail of these offers.
Cash Advances
Cash advances offer a speedy and straightforward solution to access money when needed in an emergency. Unfortunately, they often come with high fees and interest rates that add up quickly.
Credit card cash advances are another viable option for those in need of an urgent cash boost. Unfortunately, like payday loans, they may negatively affect your credit score and come with high fees.
Alternatively, apps like Earnin and Dave offer cash advances that can help cover emergencies without charging a lot in fees or interest. While these loans may be useful for paying bills or making a purchase, they shouldn’t be seen as a replacement for more traditional borrowing options like credit cards and personal loans.
The app-based money lending industry is on the rise. They typically charge lower fees than payday loan lenders or none at all, but can still be risky for those with poor credit since many don’t report payments to major bureaus – potentially damaging your score in the process.
Personal Installment Loans
If you need a quick loan for an expensive purchase, there are numerous options available to you. Just be sure that the money borrowed will be repaid in full.
Installment loans are a type of short-term loan that enables borrowers to borrow large sums of money and pay it back with fixed monthly payments. This option is ideal for those who need to repay their debt quickly while avoiding the annual interest rate.
Each state has different regulations regarding personal installment loans, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the legal guidelines in your home state before applying online for one.
Most lenders require a permanent resident of the state and an income source of at least $1,000 per month. Furthermore, they will need to verify your identity and contact information.
Secured Loans
Loans provide you with the money to make large purchases, and you pay them back over a set period of time. They may enable you to afford items like a new car or home that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to finance.
Secured loans may offer lower interest rates and larger loan amounts than unsecured ones, depending on the lender. Furthermore, secured loans usually have longer repayment terms than their unsecured counterparts.
Secured personal loans require the borrower to pledge an asset as collateral – such as a savings account or vehicle – in order to guarantee repayment. If the loan isn’t repaid, however, the lender has the right to take possession of that asset in order to recoup what was lost.
Credit unions frequently advertise secured loans as a means to build credit. Generally, they report your payments to the bureaus if you make them on time and in full.