Short term high interest loans are the last resort when you require immediate funds but lack the credit or income to qualify for other loans. Unfortunately, they’re also costly – with interest rates of up to 400 percent.
Personal loans with longer repayment terms and lower interest rates can help you manage your finances more responsibly. Be sure to use the loan responsibly, paying off the entire amount due at the end of its term.
Payday Loans
Payday loans, also referred to as cash advance or check advance loans, are short-term high interest loans that must be repaid with the borrower’s next paycheck. To repay them, borrowers write a personal check or provide electronic access to their bank account for repayment of the loan amount plus interest and fees.
Unsecured loans, usually of $500 or less, are meant to be paid off within two weeks and often serve as a last resort for people who can’t get regular personal loans due to low credit ratings or cannot secure regular personal loans.
They can be a viable temporary solution in times of crisis, but they come with numerous risks and are illegal in certain states.
These loans can have a detrimental effect on your credit score and long-term financial wellbeing. Furthermore, they typically come with extremely high interest rates, along with hidden fees that add an additional layer of expense.
Credit Card Advances
Credit card advances offer a quick way to access cash. They may be obtained through ATMs, financial institutions, or convenience checks provided by your credit card company.
Cash advances can be costly and should only be used as a last option. Their interest rates are much higher than those on regular purchases and balance transfers, plus they begin accruing interest immediately instead of having a grace period.
In addition to interest charges, cash advances may also come with fees. These are typically assessed by your credit card issuer; some cards charge a flat fee per cash advance while others take a percentage of the amount advanced as fees.
Payday Alternative Loans
A payday loan, also referred to as a cash advance or check advance, can be an expeditious and affordable way to get the money you need quickly. Unfortunately, they often lead to high-interest debt problems and other issues; so it is best to steer clear of them if possible.
A better alternative to a payday loan is the Payday Alternative Loan (PAL). These loans are accessible through certain federal credit unions and provide borrowers with an affordable way to borrow small amounts of money.
Payday loans (PALs) are an attractive alternative to payday loans since they must be repaid over several months rather than one to two weeks, making them cheaper than traditional payday loans. Furthermore, their interest rates are capped at 28%.
In addition to cutting down the cost of borrowing, PALs provide an accessible option for those with bad credit. Credit unions such as Alliant Credit Union and Upstart provide PALs to members with minimal or no credit history.
Mortgage Rate Buydowns
Mortgage rate buydowns are a great option for short term high interest loans; they can reduce your monthly payments while saving you money in the long run. But it’s essential to know how much it will cost you upfront before taking the plunge.
Mortgage points can be purchased at closing and equal to 1% of the loan amount. Each point will permanently reduce your interest rate, though it may take a few years before these savings become worthwhile enough to justify its cost.
When looking into rate buydowns, there are three methods of paying: you can cover the expense yourself, ask the seller to cover it or finance it into your mortgage. Before committing, calculate what’s called a break-even point: this is how long it will take you to recoup all of the cost associated with purchasing points.