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Cornell University

The Bookshelf

Exploring EdTech and Cognitive Psychology

What to Consider Before Applying for a Payday Loan

If you are strapped for cash, then you might be wondering if there is anything you can do to get access to the money you need quickly. Whether you’ve had an emergency at home and need to buy a new kitchen appliance as soon as possible or have had something go wrong with your car that need fixing in order for you to be able to go to work, a payday loan can be a good option to consider. However, with a lot of bad publicity regarding payday loans, including super-high interest and massive charges for those who struggle to repay, it’s important to ensure that you are choosing the right one for you. Here are some of the main things to look out for when borrowing some emergency cash.

Reputation

One of the first things to look out for is the reputation of the payday loan company that you are going to be borrowing from. There are lots of payday loan companies out there, but some are not as good as others, and are only out to make as much money as possible in any way they can. Before you borrow money from an online payday loan company, you will need to make sure that you can trust the company you’re borrowing from to treat you fairly. Read past customer reviews to get a better idea of what to expect.

Interest Rate

The interest rate of the loan that you are going to be borrowing will be another massive consideration to make when you are borrowing short-term cash. The last thing you need is to borrow $100 and end up paying $500 back! Even if you are really desperate for some extra money right now or need it to deal with an emergency, always check the interest rate and get a figure that you’ll be repaying weekly or monthly to ensure that you are comfortable with it and it is within your budget.

Payout Time

When applying for a payday loan, the payout time is another main consideration to make. If you need money quickly, then ideally you will want to go for a loan that will be in your account quickly. Some payday loan companies pay out instantly or at least on the same day, while with others, you might have to wait a while. Consider how quickly you need the money and how long you are willing to wait before you make a decision on where to borrow from.

Repayment

Consider how you are going to be repaying the loan before you determine the best payday loan company for you. Some loans are to be repaid in full on your next payday, hence the name. On the other hand, some loans can be repaid in instalments over a few months to make them more manageable.

Payday loans might not always be the most recommended method of getting quick cash. However, it might be the best option for you sometimes. If you need money fast, there are some important factors to consider before getting a payday loan.