You have probably heard of payday loans, but you aren’t sure if they are right for you. These companies offer short-term loans to people who are having a difficult time financially. Sounds great, right? It can be if you find out everything you need to know before applying for one. Here are some tips to help you with these loans.
When considering a payday loan, although it can be tempting be sure not to borrow more than you can afford to pay back. For example, if they allow you to borrow $1000 and place your car as collateral, but you only need $200, borrowing too much can lead to the loss of your car if you are unable to repay the entire loan.
Payday loans are a good solution for people who are in desperate need of money. Do not sign up for a payday loan if you do not fully understand the terms. Interest rates are astronomical and with the fees it can be difficult to afford the payments.
Be wary of any charges involved with a loan before signing for one. Lots of people are stunned when they discover how much they are charged for a payday loan. Don’t be afraid to inquire what the interest rates for a payday loan are.
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.
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.
Realize that you are giving the payday loan access to your personal banking information. That is great when you see the loan deposit! However, they will also be making withdrawals from your account. Make sure you feel comfortable with a company having that kind of access to your bank account. Know to expect that they will use that access.
Be very careful rolling over any kind of payday loan. Often, people think that they will pay on the following pay period, but their loan ends up getting larger and larger until they are left with almost no money coming in from their paycheck. They are caught in a cycle where they cannot pay it back.
Getting a short-term loan can be just the thing you need to help you through a hard time. These loans can be a great help, but only if you have all the information you need. Use these tips to help you take decisions about getting a payday loan, and you can get through these tough times more easily.