Sunday, June 7, 2009

Is a Cash Advance Loan the Best Choice for You?

If you are like most people you have found yourself in a situation where things would be a lot easier if you had a little extra cash before your next payday. A payday loan might seem like an easy option, but is this kind of cash advance loan really the best choice for you? Before you accept a cash advance loan, the lender has to disclose the amount of the fees involved for the loan, as both a dollar amount, and as an Annual Percentage Rate (APR). Sometimes these loan fees can be quite high compared to other lines of credit.

Before pulling the trigger on such a deal consider some of your options. A credit union or small loan company may be able to offer you a short term loan at competitive rates. Sometimes this can be done as a signature loan with a sufficient credit rating, but you may get better terms if you can offer some collateral. You may also be able to make adjustments to payments with some of your creditors if you are having trouble making payments. If you regularly use all the money in your checking account, a small mistake can be costly; see if your bank offers overdraft protection. And, it is always a good idea to have a budget in place so you know how to prioritize expenses and have a better idea what your cash situation is like before it sneaks up on you.

Even if you have explored all these options it is not a bad idea to have a relationship with a cash advance loan provider that can help when things get unexpectedly tight. Even if you do not have an immediate need, if you learn about what is out there, you will be much better prepared and know what to expect if the need arises. A cash advance loan broker will be able to help you find a provider that can offer terms that are best suited to your situation.

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