Are you in a financial bind? Are you considering a payday loan to help you get out of it? If so, there are some important considerations to keep in mind first. A payday loan is a great option, but it’s not right for everyone. Taking some time to understand the particulars about your loan will help you to make educated financial decisions.
Do some research on the company you’re looking at getting a loan from. Avoid making a choice based of a television or radio commercial. Look for online reviews form satisfied customers and find out about the company by looking at their online website. You will have a better loan experience when you choose a reliable company.
Before applying for a payday loan have your paperwork in order this will help the loan company, they will need proof of your income, so they can judge your ability to pay the loan back. Take things like your W-2 form from work, alimony payments or proof you are receiving Social Security. Make the best case possible for yourself with proper documentation.
If you have to use a payday loan because of an emergency, or unexpected event, understand that many people are put in an unfavorable position by doing this. If you do not use them responsibly, you could wind up in a cycle that you cannot get out of. You could be in debt to the payday loan company for a very long time.
If you take out a payday loan, make sure that you can afford to pay it back within one to two weeks. Payday loans should be used only in emergencies, when you truly have no other alternatives. When you take out a payday loan, and cannot pay it back right away, two things happen. First, you have to pay a fee to keep re-extending your loan until you can pay it off. Second, you keep getting charged more and more interest.
Comparison shop in order to secure the most favorable interest rate. There are payday loan companies you can visit, but you can also find some online. All of these competitors want your business; favorable interest rates are one tool they employ to get it. If you happen to be taking out a loan for the first time, many lenders offer promotions to help save you a little money. Compare and contrast payday loan expenses and options before choosing a lender.
If you must get a payday loan, open a new checking account at a bank you don’t normally use. Ask the bank for temporary checks, and use this account to get your payday loan. When your loan comes due, deposit the amount, you need to pay off the loan into your new bank account. This protects your regular income in case you can’t pay the loan back on time.
If you are thinking that you may have to default on a payday loan, think again. The loan companies collect a large amount of data from you about things like your employer, and your address. They will harass you continually until you get the loan paid off. It is better to borrow from family, sell things, or do whatever else it takes to just pay the loan off, and move on.
If you have applied for a payday loan and have not heard back from them yet with an approval, do not wait for an answer. A delay in approval in the Internet age usually indicates that they will not. This means you need to be on the hunt for another solution to your temporary financial emergency.
If you are in the military, you have some added protections not offered to regular borrowers. Federal law mandates that, the interest rate for payday loans cannot exceed 36% annually. This is still pretty steep, but it does cap the fees. You should check for other assistance first, though, if you are in the military. There are a number of military aid societies willing to offer assistance to military personnel.
When you find a good payday loan company, stick with them. Make it your goal to build a track record of successful loans, and repayments. By doing this, you may become eligible for bigger loans in the future with this company. They may be more willing to work with you, in times of real struggle.
If you are having trouble paying back a cash advance loan, go to the company where you borrowed the money and try to negotiate an extension. It can be tempting to write a check, hoping to beat it to the bank with your next paycheck, but remember that not only will you be charged extra interest on the original loan, but charges for insufficient bank funds can add up quickly, putting you under more financial stress.
Take the time to research other options before you apply for a payday loan. Even though credit cards charge relatively high interest rates on cash advances, for instance, they are still not nearly as high as those associated with a payday loan. Ask friends and family for a loan instead.
If you have a payday loan taken out, find something in the experience to complain about and then call in and start a rant. Customer service operators are always allowed an automatic discount, fee waiver or perk to hand out, such as a free or discounted extension. Do it once to get a better deal, but don’t do it twice or else risk burning bridges.
This article has provided you with some basics on payday loans. Be sure to review the information and clearly understand it before making any financial decisions with regard to a payday loan. These options can help you, if they are used correctly, but they must be understood to avoid financial hardship.
