It is not a secret that payday loans are very, very expensive. Borrowers end up repaying at an interest rate that may reach several hundred percent. For instance, borrowing $100 may cost you $20 in fees over a period of just two weeks. This doesn’t seem like much, but what about borrowing $1,000 - it will involve considerably higher interest charges, right? On average, you will pay at an annual percentage rate of around 430 percent.
The problem with this type of loans is that they are not a solution to your financial hardship. Taking out a payday loan will no help you deal with your financial problems. Given that these loans are offered with a very high interest rate, your expenses increase. Using it as a short-term strategy, a payday loan can work well, getting your through a rough patch. If you need to pay for a car repair so that you can go to work, it makes sense to apply for a payday loan. You risk your financial wellbeing if you take out payday loans regularly. Financial institutions and retailers may be unwilling to deal with such borrowers. Moreover, you financial institution may take steps to sue you, or your account may be sent to collections. Your credit score will be compromised.
What are the alternatives to payday loans? One is to have an emergency cash fund in the form of savings in a savings account. And why do you need one? If you do not have an emergency cash fund, you may be forced to take out a loan with unfavorable terms (just as you do with payday loans). An emergency cash fund allows you to manage your finances better. With cash on hand, you have more choices. You need liquid cash, so you may open a savings account or a money market account. Your emergency cash should be easily accessible, that is - without delay, cost, penalty, or risk. You should also think of how much to save. This depends on the amount of money that will make you feel secure. As a rule, your savings should be equal to three to nine months of living expenses.
Building a good credit score will make it possible to apply for loans with the mainstream lenders. There are many ways to build credit, be it by applying for a secure credit card or a department store credit card. You should make timely payments and not borrow excessively. You may want to apply for a signature or unsecured loan with some bank or another financial institution.
If you have exhausted all options - even asking friends or relatives for a loan - you may try to increase your income by picking up a second job. This will help you build an emergency fund. Finally, if you have excessive debt to repay, you may consider paying it off through debt modification.