If you find yourself short on cash but have financial needs to meet, a payday loan could be a viable option. As with any loan, you want to be careful. Read the fine print, ask your loan officer questions and take the decision seriously. If you’re unable to repay the debt, as with other types of loans, the costs can escalate through interest and late-payment fees. Before you dive into a payday loan, learn how they work, the process for getting one and what to be conscious of when making your decision.
How Payday Loans Work
Payday loans are designed to let individuals receive a cash advance against their upcoming paycheck. Typically, the loan itself is small, and the repayment term is short. The qualification requirements for these loans are also generally less restrictive than the criteria for conventional loans. It’s an attractive choice when you need quick cash before your next paycheck, especially if you don’t have great credit.
Payday loans are around $500 on average, but they include a lot of associated fees. These fees are regulated by law,
Once you’re approved, the money you borrowed is delivered to your bank account. Some payday loans require you to write a check for the amount you owe dated for your next payday. Now, most payday loans request electronic access to your bank account, so they can withdraw your payment automatically, rather than cashing a check.
How to Use Payday Loans Without Getting Buried in Debt
It’s important to remember that payday loans — or any kind of debt — can be dangerous to your financial health if you don’t approach them wisely. Many people have gotten caught in the trap of payday loan debt. They take out a loan, and then the fees add up to the point where they have to take another loan and it becomes a never-ending spiral.
But that doesn’t mean payday loans are all bad. They may be a useful tool if you need money quickly and can afford the expense. However, when you start spending money you don’t have, it can be problematic. You have to pay the loan back eventually, and money is never free.
You can also avoid debt issues by looking for more affordable solutions before you get a loan. There are many more cash advance options and personal loan options now, thanks to the prevalence of online banking. You may also be able to avoid the hefty payday loan fees and interest rates.
How to Get a Payday Loan
Getting a payday loan is generally much easier than getting a conventional loan. The approval process has fewer and less strict requirements, and you may be able to get approved the same day. You can get a payday loan through a brick-and-mortar lending location or find options online. You may be able to find better payday loan deals online.
What You Need
All you should need to get approved for a payday loan is a bank account, ID and proof of income. You need to be 18 or older to get any kind of loan, including a payday loan. Some lenders may also require a social security number. To get approved, you need to be able to prove your income is high enough to pay back the loan and the fees.
There are numerous situations in which a payday loan can be helpful. Even consumer debt experts realize their benefits at times. For instance, if you require cash for a short period, such as to buy groceries or to pay the rent on time, then it’s something to consider.
Remember, a payday loan is not a crutch. You can’t take out multiple loans and expect to live off the proceeds. The interest and fees will eventually bury you in debt.
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FAQs About Payday Loans
What is the major downside of a payday loan?
Payday loans are generally more expensive than other types of loans and make it easy to get stuck in a cycle of debt. Many payday loans are also considered predatory because they intentionally take advantage of people experiencing financial emergencies.
Do payday loans check your bank account?
You likely need to show proof of a bank account to qualify for a payday loan. Lenders may also request ACH content, which lets them access your account to take out payments. You can cancel this authority at any time.
Do payday loans show up on your credit report?
Payday loans generally aren’t reported to credit bureaus, so they don’t show up on your credit report or affect your score. Lenders also probably won’t consider your credit score when assessing loan eligibility.
Why are payday loans so expensive?
Payday loans have a shorter term than many other loans, which means higher lending fees. They’re also a higher risk for the lender, so the interest rates are very high.
How much interest will I pay on a payday loan?
Payday loan interest rates can get relatively high. But they’re short-term loans, so even if the rate is high, you may not pay that much in total interest. It’s a good idea to read the fine print, so you’re aware of all the fees and can factor them into the cost.
How do you calculate annual interest on a payday loan?
To figure out how high your interest rate is, divide how much you paid in interest by how much money you borrowed. Then, multiply that number by 365 and divide out the length of the loan. Multiply that by 100 to make it a percentage.
What is the average APR on a personal loan?
Regular personal loans generally have an interest rate between 10% and 20%, which is much lower than the average payday loan interest rate. However, personal loans usually have a longer repayment period, so the total interest paid may be significantly more than a payday loan.
What is the highest legal interest rate on a personal loan?
Interest rate laws vary by state, and they can get quite high in many places. Payday loans also charge high fees, which could be considered part of the interest cost.
