Is Payday Lending the Right Choice?

There are many people who find themselves in significant financial straits and do not know what to do about the situation. If such a person learns about payday loans through an online search or by driving past a storefront with a sign advertising this type of loan, a quick decision to pursue this type of getting fast money might be made. It is a frequent occurrence that a person applies for this type of loan without doing due diligence about the negative consequences. Local Credit Unions would recommend that other sources of obtaining some financial relief. Prior to applying for a payday loan, one needs to learn the pertinent facts about the loan.

BIG FEES WILL BE ATTACHED TO A PAYDAY LOAN

Most people are aware that any loan will have interest and require proof of income. However, one needs to know that the interest on a payday loan can come in at anywhere from 24 to 39% which adds up to a lot of money that one already doesn’t have available. Even if one lives in a state that has put a cap on payday loan interest rates, interest is still high. A person who gets this type of loan might not be able to pay it back on his/her next payday and extends the loan. When this situation occurs, interest fees have to be paid again. In addition, there are several high fee “administrative” fees for the loan that will have to be paid. It can happen that people who become involved with a payday loan find themselves seeking one payday loan to pay off another, the situation spirals out of control and financial ruin looms in the near future.

SIGNIFICANT FACTS TO REMEMBER

Those who get a loan fully intend to repay the debt. However, when one has a payday loan, it is to be paid by the next payday. However, one must remember that there are other bills to pay, food and gas to buy and the funds for the loan payment may not be there to repay the loan. For these reasons, one can become involved in a vicious cycle of trying to find more cash streams to meet all financial obligations. Such a cycle seems never ending until the outcome may have to be a bankruptcy filing. Declaring bankruptcy is something that most people want to avoid.

Dealing with the horrible cycle of debt will have an effect on the whole family. Worry becomes constant and the bill collection calls, letters and threats can result in overwhelming stress that can cause depression and other medical problems. Some people become unable to work and unable to take action or seek help to solve the financial problems. If people are fully informed about the negative ramifications of payday loans, they should be able to avoid this solution to lack of money.

OTHER OPTIONS FOR FINANCIAL HELP

Local Credit Unions would suggest that people having financial problems consider getting a low or no interest credit card that can be paid down gradually when household obligations are met. In addition, people should talk with representatives of local Credit Unions regarding any programs that they might offer that could help with family financial issues. Most of these agencies offer both secured and unsecured loan packages. In addition, one will find that payments and interest rates with credit unions are typically lower than with other financial institutions. It is in the best interest of anyone to avoid becoming involved with a payday loan and investigate the other avenues of procuring the needed money to assist with finances. There are viable alternatives to the highly advertised payday loan.