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.
Call around and find out interest rates and fees. Most payday loan companies have similar fees and interest rates, but not all. You may be able to save ten or twenty dollars on your loan if one company offers a lower interest rate. If you often get these loans, the savings will add up.
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.
Conduct the necessary research. Don’t just accept the first lender to offer you money. Try to check out different places in order to find good rates. Although this could be time consuming, you will probably end up saving tons of money. There are websites out there that will let you compare loan rates for some of the biggest companies.
Payday loans can be helpful in an emergency, but understand that you could be charged finance charges that can equate to almost 50 percent interest. This huge interest rate can make paying back these loans impossible. The money will be deducted right from your paycheck and can force you right back into the payday loan office for more money.
Before signing up with a payday lender, you can benefit from checking up on them through a Better Business Bureau search. This will ensure that any company you decide to do business with is reputable and will hold end up their end of the contract.
Be wary of any payday loan company that is not completely up front with their interest rates and fees, as well as the timetable for repayment. If a company doesn’t give you this information, they may not be legitimate.
If you have any valuable items, you may want to consider taking them with you to a payday loan provider. Sometimes, payday loan providers will let you secure a payday loan against a valuable item, such as a piece of fine jewelry. A secured payday loan will usually have a lower interest rate, than an unsecured payday loan.
If you are seeking out a payday loan but have less than stellar credit, try to apply for your loan with a lender that will not check your credit report. These days there are lots of different lenders out there that will still give loans to those with poor credit or no credit.
Whenever you apply for a payday loan, make sure you have your most-recent pay stub to prove that you are employed. You should also have your latest bank statement to prove that you have a current open checking account. While not always required, it will make the process of getting a loan much easier.
Payday loans should only be taken out if you have tried every other option available to you. If you find yourself applying for payday loans in order to cover your monthly expenses, consider contacting a consumer credit counselor. Consider all your options prior to getting a payday loan.
Read the fine print before getting any loans.
Since there are usually additional fees and terms hidden there. Many people make the mistake of not doing that, and they end up owing much more than they borrowed in the first place. Always make sure that you understand fully, anything that you are signing.
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.
If you apply for payday loans, always target a safe amount of money that is easily repayable by the date it is due. Often times you will be offered more money than you actually need and while it may be tempting to accept, you are just paying more in interest in the long run.
Take a payday loan only if you need to cover certain expenses immediately; this should mostly include bills or medical expenses. Do not get into the habit of taking payday loans. The high interest rates could really cripple your finances on the long-term, and you need to learn how to stick to a budget instead of borrowing money.
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.
