If you’ve never heard of a payday loans, this will be the only shortcut article you’ll need. Like all the other loans, it requires you to borrow money from a lender. As the name suggests, the debt is paid as soon as the next payday comes. This means that you pay the lender from your next paycheck to get rid of the debt. Now, if the debt is a small one, you will still have money left but in most cases, you may have to give up your whole salary for that month to pay off the debt.
[BUTTONS1]Also, it is advised that you take the loan from a direct payday lender.There are many websites who can provide you with a loan, but they’ll also send you too many newsletters, promotional emails, and whatnot. Then, unwanted phone calls and text messages will follow. Thus, find a direct payday lender that will keep your contact and other related information private and notforward it to marketing agencies for the use of promotional messages and calls. Having a direct payday lendermakes it possible to negotiate the terms better too.
[BUTTONS2]Till now, the entire process has seemed smooth but there is a catch. With payday loans comes a considerable amount of interest. Since the payment is made precisely within a month, the interest rate is quite high. This high rate is why people avoid taking out this loan. However, when there is a need, this is one of the loans that you can obtain quickly. Another downside to this is that you are deprived of your monthly salary, which can make you take out another loan and from there on, it’s just a slippery slope.
IF YOU’RE A LITTLE short on cash and need to meet an important expense, a payday loan may seem like a viable option. Be cautious, though. The fees and interest typical of payday loans make them expensive in the best of circumstances. If you’re unable to repay the debt quickly, the costs can escalate and deepen financial troubles.
Before turning to a payday loan for relief, know how they work and what your reasonable alternatives are.
How Payday Loans Work
Payday lending is permitted in 37 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The loans allow people to take a cash advance from an upcoming paycheck. The loan amount is small, the repayment term is short and qualification is easy.
To obtain a payday loan, you can visit a store that offers them or apply via phone or online. The sum you can borrow depends on the state you live in, but loans of up to $500 are most common. You will need to be of adult age, have a valid form of identification, a checking account, proof of income and a phone number.
If you go into the store, you’ll write a personal check to the business for the amount you want plus fees. Apply online or over the phone and you’ll give the lender authorization to debit the funds from your bank account. In either case, the lender will add a fee, which is usually limited by law to $15 to $30 for every $100 borrowed. The money will be delivered to you in cash deposited into your bank account quickly.
Then it comes time to make good on the debt. Loan terms are typically two to four weeks, and if you pay it all back by that date, you’re done. If you don’t have all the money, you may be able to extend the loan.
In some states, lenders can renew the loan, allowing borrowers to pay only the fee balance and extend the due date with another fee. For example, if you borrowed $400 and the fee was $60, it will cost you an additional $60 to roll the debt over for two more weeks. At that stage, you’ll have paid $120 to the lender before you’ve paid the original loan amount.
Laws and Rules of Payday Loans
Payday lenders do have to abide by both federal and state laws. As required by the federal Truth in Lending Act, payday lenders are required to disclose the dollar amount of the finance charge and the corresponding APR in writing.
The CFPB implements and enforces federal regulations, including the Payday Rule. The intention of the law, which has been challenged by the payday loan industry, is to impose strict restrictions on payday lenders. It requires an affordability test and limits rollovers as well as the number of times a checking account can be debited.