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 do not help borrowers deal with the main problem. 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. Then, if you are into the habit of taking out cash loans, this is likely to put you under. Financial institutions and retailers may be unwilling to deal with such borrowers. Your bank may even send your account to collections or take other actions against you. This will affect your credit score.
What are some of the alternatives of this cash loans? One is to open a savings account and use it as an emergency cash fund. But why should you have one? Persons who do not have savings may have to take out a payday loan or another loan with an unfavorable interest rate and terms. 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. Money should be easy to access, without excessive costs, delays, risk, or penalties. 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.
Another alternative to payday loans is building a decent credit score so that you can borrow from mainstream financial institutions. There are different ways to go about this, be it by obtaining a department store or a secured credit card. You should borrow in moderation and make on-time payments. 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 is another way to build an emergency cash fund. Finally, if you have accumulated excessive debt, one option is debt modification.
Learn more about auto loans in Canada and how to apply for a car loan.
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