Payday Loans: A Quick Solution for Financial Emergencies

Payday loans provide a quick influx of cash when you're facing an unexpected expense or financial emergency between paychecks. While payday loans have gotten a bad reputation, they can serve an important purpose when used responsibly. This guide will explain what payday loans are, their pros and cons, costs, alternatives, and tips for getting the best deal.

What are Payday Loans?

Payday loans are small, short-term loans designed to tide you over until your next paycheck arrives. Other common names for payday loans include:

• Cash advance loans
• Check advance loans
• Deferred deposit loans

Payday lenders provide loans ranging from $100 to $1000, depending on your income and the state you live in. The average payday loan is around $375.

To qualify for a payday loan you need:

• To be 18 years old
• An active checking account
• Proof of income from a job or other sources
• Valid identification

Payday loans don't require a credit check. The lender will ask to see a recent bank statement to verify you have sufficient income coming in.

How Do Payday Loans Work?

Getting a payday loan involves three basic steps:

1. Application: You fill out a short application, usually online or at a payday lender's store. You'll provide personal details, income info, and checking account numbers.
2. Approval: In as fast as 15 minutes you can get approved for a payday loan in person, or within one business day online. Approval is based on income, not credit score.
3. Funding: Once approved, the lender will deposit the loan amount directly into your checking account as soon as the next business day. Repayment is taken automatically on your next payday.

Payday Loan Costs and Fees

Payday loans provide fast cash, but they come at a high cost. Before taking out a payday loan, it's important to understand the fees involved:

• Interest rates: Payday loans typically have interest rates ranging from $10 to $30 per $100 borrowed. Expressed as APR, interest rates can range from 400% to over 800%.
• Origination/Acquisition fees: Payday lenders may charge origination fees of 1-10% of the loan amount just to process the loan.
• NSF fees: If there are insufficient funds in your account when the lender attempts to withdraw the repayment on your payday, you may be charged non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees by both your bank and lender.

To illustrate the costs, let's look at an example:

You take out a $300 payday loan with a fee of $20 per $100 borrowed, and a $30 origination fee.

• Amount borrowed: $300
• Interest charge: $60 (300 / 100 * $20)
• Origination fee: $30
• Total fees: $90
• Total repayment amount: $390

As you can see, the cost of a $300 loan is $90 in fees, equal to a 30% interest rate. The APR would be 780%.

Pros of Payday Loans

Despite their high costs, payday loans offer some benefits:

• Quick access to cash - Get funds deposited into your account as soon as the next business day after approval.
• Easy to qualify - Approval is based on income, with no credit check required.
• Convenient - Apply online or at thousands of payday loan store locations across the country.
• Flexible terms - Payday loans allow you to select the exact loan amount you need.

Payday loans can provide funds when you really need them and don't have other options. For example, if your car breaks down and you need it to get to work. Or an unexpected medical bill pops up.

As long as you have a steady income stream, payday loans allow you access to cash, fast.

Cons of Payday Loans

Payday loans also come with some significant drawbacks:

• Very high fees - Interest rates typically range from 400-800% APR when expressed as annual percentage rates.
• Risk of overdraft fees - If the lender is unable to withdraw the repayment amount from your account on the due date, you can face overdraft fees from your bank.
• Short repayment term - Payday loans typically must be repaid in full on your next pay date, often in two to four weeks. This leaves little room for financial emergencies.
• Risk of rollovers - If you can't fully repay the loan on the due date, some states allow payday lenders to roll it over into a new loan, extending the high fees.
• Doesn't help build credit - Payday lenders don't report loans to the credit bureaus, so they don't help improve your credit.

While payday loans provide fast access to cash, the downsides mean they should only be used as a very last resort.

Alternatives to Payday Loans

Before turning to a payday lender, explore some alternatives that provide more reasonable rates and terms:

• Borrow from family or friends - This avoids fees, but make sure to draft a simple agreement to set repayment terms.
• Credit union payday alternative loan - Many credit unions offer small loans at lower rates for their members.
• Credit card cash advance - Credit card interest rates are still high at around 25%, but much lower than payday loans.
• Negotiate with creditors - Contact creditors directly and ask for more time to pay bills. Avoid late fees.
• Paycheck advance from employer - Some employers provide advances on future pay for emergency expenses.
• Sell unwanted items - Selling items you no longer need can quickly generate extra cash.
• Peer-to-peer borrowing - Sites like LendingClub allow you to access affordable loans from individual investors.

The key is exploring all your options before choosing the payday loan path.

Tips for Getting the Best Payday Loan Deal

If you've weighed all alternatives and decide a payday loan is your only viable option, follow these tips to get the best deal:

• Compare lender rates and fees - Rates and fees can vary greatly between payday lenders. Compare several lenders.
• Select lenders that follow best practices - Some states don't regulate payday lenders. Stick to lenders that follow best practices.
• Avoid rollovers - Work out a realistic repayment plan that avoids extending the loan and incurring more fees.
• Pay down interest first - If you get behind, prioritize paying off the accrued interest before principal when making extra payments.
• Build up savings - After repaying the loan, build up your emergency fund savings to avoid future payday loans.
• Check with your state - Some states cap payday loan rates and fees. Check your state laws.
• Consider installment loans - Some lenders offer longer-term installment loans, allowing more time to repay at lower interest rates.

With high fees and short repayment terms, payday loans should be used sparingly. But in certain emergencies, they can provide a lifeline. By shopping lenders, avoiding rollovers, and paying off balances quickly, payday loans can serve as a short-term solution for fast cash.