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Payday Loans – A Short Term Solution or a Long Term Debt

Friday, April 13th, 2012

The term pay day loan tends to induce a sense of alarm and panic. They have attracted a lot of bad press in recent years due to unfounded negative perceptions. There is a tendency to think that you might end up with long term financial debt by choosing this type of loan, which could be true if the loan is abused. However, if used in the correct way, payday loan products do have a bone fied place in the financial market.

A payday loan is absolutely meant to be a short term solution. It is imperative that its consumers remember this and stick to its concept. It is only when consumer abuses the product that the threat of a long term debt might be a reality. The whole concept of payday loans is that they are for that purpose only i.e. until the next payday or within 28/ 31 days. The high levels of APR means that these type of loans are only affordable for one month only. For example:

A loan of £100 @ 1737% APR rate = £125 per month i.e. you pay £25 for the loan for one month.

If you push the repayment back by another month this means £25 x 2 = £50 for the loan for two months.

This illustration shows how it is possible to get into long term debt of you do not follow the terms and conditions set out by the lender to make the repayment after the first month.

Payday loans are therefore an excellent short term financial solution to resolve an emergency cash flow situation. Therefore these types of loans should only be used in the following types of circumstances:

  • An emergency household repair
  • An emergency car repair
  • Small business owners with an invoice to pay
  • Medical bills
  • Vet bills
  • To cover expensive unsecured overdraft fees

In short, payday loans should be used for emergencies only.

To avoid getting into long term debt you need to be honest with yourself about your finances. Different types of financial products are designed for different types of financial problems. Therefore if your problem is anything other than an isolated emergency situation, you should consider an alternative solution such as:

  • Credit Card
  • Overdraft facility
  • Short term credit through Credit Union
  • Personal Bank Loan

The important thing is to always seek professional advice if you are unsure about what type of financial assistance you require.

In summary, payday loans are a really good product if you have an emergency cash flow situation. Provided you use this loan sensibly and make the repayment in full on the agreed date then they are an excellent solution. You will only get into long term debt if you abuse this service, therefore if you are unsure of the type of financial assistance that you require then you must always seek professional advice.

5 Circumstances When a Payday Loan is a Solid Option

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

Most financial planners will tell you that payday loans are rarely a good idea. In most cases, this is entirely true. Payday loans are an expensive way to have money upfront and can actually put you further in debt thanks to excessive fees and high interest rates. However, there are times when using a payday loan is a necessary event. Certain emergencies will require you to use payday loans as an absolute last resort. If you must take out a payday loan, make it for the smallest amount possible in order to save on some of the high interest rates and fees. Here are five instances when you might want to consider using a payday loan.

1. When Other Options are Exhausted

Getting money from any other source will typically be better than taking out a payday loan. Only consider payday loans if you have already asked your parents or family to borrow money, tried selling any unnecessary items in your home and applied for a loan or a new credit card at your local bank. Even seeking out an additional part-time job for a few days would be preferable to taking out payday loans.

2. For Medical Emergencies

Although in an ideal world no one would need to take out payday loans, there are some medical emergencies where money is absolutely necessary in order to cover the costs of a doctor’s visit, prescriptions or other medical expenses. Before you investigate payday loans, ask the hospital or doctor’s office if there is a payment plan which might be a better choice for you and your family.

3. If Your Employer Can’t Advance Your Pay

One option instead of a payday loan is to ask your employer for an advance on your paycheck. If you have been with the company for a long time and can show that you are a reliable employee, then this might be a viable option for you. If you have asked for an advance and were turned down, then you can consider payday loans instead.

4. To Fix Your Car

If your car breaks down and it is your only way of getting to and from work, then you might need to opt for a payday loan in order to have it fixed. In these instances the payday loan might be the only way to guarantee you are able to attend work and continue to earn money for yourself and your family. Be reasonable with your payday loans and only take out the very minimum you need in order to have repairs done to the car. Never take out large payday loans for things like a brand new car or car rental in the interim.

5. To Keep Your Home

Some individuals find that they are so far behind on rent or mortgage payments that they are always one payment late. If you get to the point where you may lose your home, then it might be worth getting a payday loan. However, keep in mind that making the next payment will be just as hard to make unless something changes. A payday loan should be a last option and not a regular occurrence to pay your bills week after week.

Although payday loans are some of the most expensive loans available, they can be a helpful way to get out of an emergency financial situation. If used wisely, then they can provide a lifeline for those in need. The difficulty is not to be reliant on them, and find alternatives for assistance when necessary.

Andrew Greene is a freelance financial writer and blogs for nowaitpaydayloans.co.uk where you can get payday loans uk today.

How to Pay Off Your Personal Loan Quicker

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

Personal loan funds are used for a variety of purposes. They may be used to consolidate credit card debts, to fund a new business venture when a small business loan is not able to be used, to make improvements to your home, and more. While your loan may have provided you with much needed cash initially, now you want to pay it off as quickly as possible. Here are a few steps you can take today to pay your loan off quicker:

Free Up Additional Cash

Each month you have your personal loan in place, interest charges are being applied to the account. By paying your loan off early, you can benefit by saving money in interest charges over the life of the loan. With this in mind, it may be worthwhile to review your budget and identify areas where you can cut back on spending. Some of the easiest ways to reduce spending and free up cash are by reducing a cable or cell phone plan, and reducing energy consumption. The extra money saved in these areas can be applied to your loan for a faster reduction in the principal balance of your loan.

Consider Bi-Weekly Payments

If you get paid every two weeks, as is common practice with many employers, you may benefit by making a half-payment on your account every two weeks rather than a full payment once a month. The reason this is advantageous is that over the course of a year, you will have made the equivalent of an extra full payment. This is most advantageous to those who have a loan that still has several years’ worth of payments left to make on it. When first establishing this bi-weekly payment method, be sure that you pay the full monthly payment due initially before making half-payments, as you do not want to pay your bills late.

Apply Bonuses, Gifts, and Refunds to Debt Payments

Many people look forward to getting large windfalls of cash from employer bonuses as well as smaller windfalls from gifts, refunds, and other similar sources. It is common practice to either deposit this cash into a savings account or to treat yourself to something nice with your windfall proceeds. However, you can opt to apply all of this extra cash you receive directly to your loan reduction efforts. Over time, these additional payments will have a large impact on your loan balance.

The best way to pay your personal loan off more quickly is to combine all of these methods together. When you combine all of these methods together, you will be able to greatly reduce your debt balance in a shorter period of time.

About the Author

This article was written by Phill representing CompareLogbookLoans.co.uk – an independent financial website bringing together and comparing available logbook loans.

Credit Cards as a Way to Build Your Credit Score

Tuesday, March 20th, 2012

Thinking about the future is sometimes not what we want to do right now. I mean many of us are approaching 30 and have no plans for the future. Pensions and investments are something that you should be looking into now rather than later.

This is something that I will be thinking about later in the year but for now I have the issue of removing all the debt that is surrounding me right now.

I have two credit cards online shopping accounts and more. When I worked it all out I figured that I was about £10,000 in the red and decided to hit the black as soon as I can so that I can start to build up my credit rating.

How can I get a better credit rating I hear you ask?

Well, there are some different ways to do this. The simple one is pay off the debt and then make sure that you are not over extending your pay check. This being said though there are times that this is not the case and you need something for the emergencies.

That is where the credit card companies can help you. They offer ‘credit card bad credit’ deals that help you to build up your credit score. To do this they offer you the credit card with a low amount of credit available on the card. I have one and the limit is £200.

Building Your Credit Score

All you have to do to keep your credit rating getting better is to create a regular borrowing pattern, for instance using the card to fill up the car once or twice a month then being able to pay this off in one go will increase your credit rating quicker.

Making small purchases with this credit card and paying it off in full is better than paying the minimum off your card or even worse, not being able to make the payment at all.

For many though building your credit rating is a good thing and should be done sooner rather than later. Just think about getting a mortgage, car loan or even something on hire purchase. There is nothing worse than having your heart set on something and then not being able to afford it.

Finding the right one may be easier than you think as there are price comparison sites on the internet that offer so many ways for you to save and build on a bad credit rating.

5 Smashing Tips to Get a Signature Loan with Bad Credit

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

signature loanAnyone experiencing financial problems and want quick financial problems can go for signature loans. Getting a signature loan is probably the best option to choose when you may not have several options and bad credit profile. Signature loans take less time for a bank to process and you can get the loan than any despite of what type of credit you have. There are some mortgage lenders that offer bad credit signature loans, but prior to get a signature loan it is advised to go through the rules and regulations. Some important guidelines are listed below:

Choose a Signature Loan that Suits Your Needs

Before applying to signature loan, it is essential to clearly identify the loan that best match with your needs. Since there are different types of signature loans available to choose from. You can get a signature loan by applying either online or at local business. In order to apply for a signature loan, you would need to show your identification in the form of a state ID card or passport. Your potential bank will probably ask for some personal information that will be used in checking your credit profile.

Clear Up Any Outstanding Loans

Prior to applying for a signature loan, ensure that you do not have any other signature loans that are outstanding. Although mortgage lenders who provide signature loan do not check your credit profile, but they may check to see whether you have any other loans out. In case you owe loan to another company, chances are increased that you may be rejected for a loan. So it is advised to clear up any outstanding loans you have before you apply for a new signature loan.

Fill Out the Application Form Carefully

Fill out the loan application carefully. You will be asked to provide your current salary information and banking account information. Getting a signature loan is solely based on the information you provide, so be sure the information you provide is correct, especially when it comes to your account and routing numbers. 

Know the Rules and Regulations

Since each state has different requirements for signature loan companies such as finance fee and limits on the amount of the loan, therefore it is essential to clearly know the rules and regulations of your state. Knowing the laws of your state will help you stay smart about your loan

Pay Off a Loan

It is advised to borrow only the amount absolutely needs to cover your expenses and you are comfortable paying off.  All signature loans come with finance fees ranging from $10 to $30 for every $100 that is borrowed. This loan amount will be due on the borrower’s next payday, along with the fees. It is also important to know that you can pay back the loan. Some mortgage companies do offer extensions which mean that you can simply pay the finance charge and roll the loan over until your next payday.

Hopefully, following the above mentioned tips will help you get a signature loan despite of your bad credit profile.

Author Bio:

William M. Davis is a professional credit expert who specializes in repairing their clients’ bad credit and helps them how to improve credit score and get best refinance home mortgage loan.