How Payday Loans Work – A Last Resort?

Have you ever been burdened with an unexpected expense, like a big car repair bill? How have you handled it? Do you use your credit card and pay for it, including interest, over a period of time? But perhaps you don’t have a credit card. Or maybe you’re one of the millions of people who carry too much debt, and have already “maxed out” your credit card. Do you have friends to borrow from? Most of us don’t like to do that – and most friends don’t like that, either. So what do you do? Well, you could get a payday loan.

What is a payday loan?

A payday loan has many names. Some call it a cash advance loan. Some call it a check advance loan. Another name is a post-dated check loan. Still others call it a deferred-deposit check loan. The Federal Trade Commission in the U.S. calls it “costly cash”. No matter what you call it, it’s the same thing: a small (usually $50-$500) short-term loan with high interest.

Why would you get a payday loan?

Payday loans are popular for a number of reasons. To those who are in the position of needing one, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. And there are disadvantages, but we’ll look at those later.

First, put yourself in the shoes of the person who needs some quick cash. Perhaps you’ve just been put in the unenviable position of unexpectedly needing some cash and being “caught short”. You might have had an unexpected medical bill or car repair bill, or you might have to travel unexpectedly, like in the case of a death in the family. Others who need quick cash use it to pay their everyday expenses, like rent, groceries, utilities, etc. Whatever the reason, you need that cash and you just don’t have it.

Is a payday loan your last resort? Do you have other alternatives you could explore first? Well, what are the benefits of payday loans? Let’s see:

• You won’t have to go through the hassle of a credit check.
• You can apply in person, on the phone or on the Internet.
• The process takes less than 20 minutes.
• The loan proceeds are automatically deposited into your bank account within 24 hours.
• It’s affordable, at least immediately – you don’t have any up-front costs.
• It’s discreet – nobody else is involved.
• It’s secure – your financial information isn’t shared with others.

Ok, that makes sense. Those are enough reasons to get rid of the stress of being short of cash. It’s a “quick fix”. You can cover the shortage, and get on with your life. And you’ll be able to pay it back next payday, right? So you’ve solved your problem.