Quick Cash Loans

You’ve found yourself between a rock and a hard place, and you need money. You’re not alone. Plenty of people find themselves needing quick cash loans. You might have a car emergency or a medical bill that needs to be paid. Those bills can go to collections if you don’t pay them, and that’s not good for anyone. If you don’t have the money, you can get a quick cash loan.

Quick cash loans are alternatives to personal loans that allow you to get cash quickly, for a price. They usually have high sticker tags in exchange for getting quick cash. Get to know the good, the bad, and the ugly, with this guide to quick cash personal loans.

What are the different types of Quick Cash Loans?

You’ll want to ensure you pick the loan that’s best suited for your needs. There are a variety of different types of quick cash loans to choose from. Here are the most common types:

Payday loans

Payday loans are loans that are meant to be paid back the next pay day. They are low dollar, high interest loans that allow you to get money quickly. The due date is generally 2 weeks to 4 weeks away from the date you borrow the money. A lot of lenders take your ACH details to auto-withdrawal the amount from your account. The amount of fees for payday loans change depending on your lender, but it’s generally $10 to $30 per $100 you borrow. That means that for every $500, you pay anywhere from $50 to $150 in fees and charges. Shop around for lenders to find one that’s closer to the $50 than the $150 range.

Keep in mind, some states ban payday loans for their predatory principles. Other states cap the amount of fees to curb predatory lending practices. Do a quick Google search to see if payday loans are legal in your state. If they’re not, consider one of the other options.

A payday loan should be your last option.

Auto title loans

Auto title loans can have dire consequences if they’re not paid back. The lender can take your vehicle if you fail to pay back the amount you borrowed, plus fees. With this loan, you can borrow 25 to 50 percent of your car’s value, but you give the pink slip to the lender as collateral. You’ll be charged around $100 for this loan, along with interest, and you have to pay it back within 15 to 30 days, depending on your loan terms.

Because these loans are so available, they come with steep interest rates. You could be paying up to 30 percent interest for these loans. Check with your state to see if title loans are an option for you before you pursue one online.

You can apply online, and receive your funds in 24 to 48 hours, but you’ll have to bring your title to an in-person place as collateral.

Personal installment loans

This loan is a loan where you pay back what you owe in fixed “installments”. They are closed-end loans. What this means is that the lender is going to give you all the money at the beginning of the loan terms. Your job is to pay it back in a specific number of months, small sums at a time.

You can use these loans for all kinds of purchases, like covering unexpected expenses or consolidating debt. The price varies depending on the terms and conditions of the loan, but you can get as little as $500 to as much as several thousand dollars with these types of loans.

Line of credit

A line of credit is like a loan that you use as a credit card. The way it works is that you can borrow a set amount from a lender, say $5,000. That sits in a pot and you can draw from it, only as much as you need. Let’s say you had a home repair that was $1,000. You would pay interest on the $1,000 used, but not the $4,000 sitting in the bank still.

Lines of credit have better interest rates than personal loans or payday loans, but their interest is variable, so it can change some. You’ll need good to excellent credit to get a personal line of credit, with most places generally looking at a minimum credit score of 680.

These are several different lines of credit you could choose from: Personal lines of credit, home equity lines of credit, and business lines of credit.

Pawn shop loans

Pawn shop loans allow you to take a valuable item and pawn it for a loan. You have 30 days to pay back the loan, along with a grace period afterwards. If you are unable to payback your loan in the set amount of time, however, the item can be sold, so the pawnshop can recoup some of its cost of lending you money. You’re still on the hook to pay back the loan and the money earned from selling the item doesn’t go to pay back your balance.

Pawn Shops don’t require credit checks, and you can go online to find a shop that will buy your item.

What are the eligibility requirements for fast cash online loans?

Each loan is going to vary in exact details, but here are the basic requirements:

Age

You have to be at least 18 years old in order to go into any legally binding contract. If you’re a minor, you’ll need your parents to take out a loan for you.

Residency

You have to live in the state where you’re applying for a fast cash loan, otherwise you won’t be able to get a loan.

Income

They’re going to check your income to make sure you have some and make sure you can reasonably pay it back. If you can’t, they’re going to deny you the loan. Remember, just because you got approved for $2,000 doesn’t mean you should take the entire $2,000. Only take what you can reasonably afford to pay back.

Bank account

The lending house is going to want your ACH details to direct debit your payments from your account. Usually this is your routing number and account number.

Credit history

While some places check your credit, other places might not. Still – you’ll want to ensure your credit is a 650 to work with national banks and lenders. If it’s lower than that, you’ll need to pursue some of the other options on this list, like pawn shop loans that don’t require credit history.

Debt to income ratio

Finally, any good lender is going to factor in your debt-to-income ratio. Your debt-to-income ratio is the amount of monthly debt payments over the amount of money you make. So if you have $200 car payment and $150 personal loan payment, but you make $3,500, your debt-to-income ratio is 10 percent. Lenders want to see this number as low as possible.

What factors determine the cost of fast loan options?

There are plenty of factors that determine the cost of the loan. The principle, interest, and fees all account for a fast loan option.

How does my credit score affect my application?

Your credit score may or may not have an affect on your application, depending on which fast cash loan you apply for. Title loans and pawn shop loans aren’t going to look at your credit because the lender has collateral that you’ll pay back the loan. However, in some cases, your credit score could impact your interest rate or ability to be approved for a loan. Keep in mind, if you are denied a loan due to a bad credit score, you can go to a subprime lender, who will work with you to approve you for a loan – even sometimes without any credit.

How to apply for a fast cash loan

Application.

You’ll have to apply. Have all your documents in a row. You can apply online or in-person, depending on the kind of loan. You’ll need proof of income and a few other documents. You’ll also have to go through a credit check, and they’ll take your bank statement details.

Eligibility check

You’ll have to pass an eligibility check based on your income, employment status, and other factors, like your credit score. For fast cash loans, lenders may waive the traditional credit check.

Loan approval

Once you are eligible for the loan, you’ll get loan approval. The lender specifies the loan terms, including the loan amount, interest rate, and repayment date.

Funds disbursement

Once the borrower agrees to the terms and conditions, the lender disburses the loan amount, typically via direct deposit into the borrower’s checking account. This process can occur within hours or even minutes, providing quick access to the funds.

Repayment

You are required to repay the loan, including the principal amount, interest, and fees, on the specified due date. In most cases, repayment is automatically deducted from your bank account, either as a post-dated check or through electronic funds transfer.

Renewal or extension (optional)

If a borrower cannot repay the loan on the due date, they may have the option to renew or extend the loan by paying additional fees. This practice can lead to a cycle of debt if not managed carefully.

Considerations Before Obtaining a Fast Cash Loan

If you’re considering a fast cash loan, then you’ll want to consider the following:

Financial need

Do you actually need the money? Can you pay back the loan on-time and in-full with the finances you already have? These are important questions to ask yourself before buying a fast cash loan. You want to ensure you actually need the loan before you take it out. If you don’t, you’re just wasting money on interest.

Loan terms

You’ll want to read through any loan terms to determine if the loan is right for you. Try to keep your interest rate on a loan below 20% if you can. If it’s higher than that, you’re going to be spending more money than you wanted to on interest.

Budgeting

Try budgeting for the loan before you take it out. If you can wait, consider saving the money instead of pursuing a payday loan. If it can’t wait, really make sure you can pay it back. If you cannot pay back the loan, do not take it out.

Alternative options

Consider borrowing from family and friends before you take out a payday loan. If you have a rich relative, it might be worth it to suck up to them and ask for money. You can even pay it back with interest and it will probably still be cheaper than a payday loan.

Research lenders

Scams are everywhere. Don’t just borrow from the first lender you encounter. Take time to read multiple lender’s websites and pick the one that fits your needs the best. At this step, you can even prequalify for a few different places to shop around for the best rates.

Legal protections

Know the laws surrounding payday loans in your state. Some states bar payday loans from being given, so you’ll want to make sure payday loans are legal where you are. If not, you can consider putting the expense on a credit card.

Consider your future

Is taking out this loan going to harm your future? If it is, don’t take it out. If you think you can pay it back in full and on time, then you have more flexibility than you realize.

What are some tips for making informed loan decisions?

Before you take out a loan, you’ll want to check out these tips for making more informed loan decisions. An informed loan decision is a decision you make after weighing all the options and covering your proverbial backside.

Wait 24 hours before making the decision

Waiting 24 hours before making your decision can help you choose if you’re going to take out the loan. You might decide you don’t want to take out the loan and want to pursue an alternative funding route. You might decide you can’t afford the loan. Sleeping on it is a surefire way to ensure you have a clear head about your purchasing decision.

Check your budget – can you afford the loan

This is huge. I cannot stress enough that you need to check your budget. Taking out a loan you cannot repay will do damage to your credit, which could impact you and make it harder to find apartments and purchase cars on credit.

Ask yourself if you can make the payment on your next paycheck. If you can, try and wait before taking out the loan. If you can’t, then you shouldn’t be taking out a payday loan at all.

I understand if you can’t wait. Your car might need emergency repairs, or a leak in your house might have caused some damage. There are times when you need a loan. But if you’re taking out a loan to pay for the newest video game – you might want to consider waiting until you can afford the purchase instead.

Wait and save the money if you can avoid taking out the loan

If you can wait to take out the loan, see if you can save the money instead. Loans are expensive, especially payday loans, and you don’t want to be spending money if you don’t have too. Really consider the other financial options you have before taking out a payday loan.

Shop rates to save on interest.

If you’ve determined you need a loan, it’s okay to shop around for interest rates. You can do this online. Ask for a pre-approval to find the best interest rate. You can contact banks, credit unions, payday lenders and more to find rates that best suit your needs.

Create a repayment plan.

Understanding that you need to pay back the loan is crucial. You’ll want to have a payment plan in place before you take out a loan. Start by looking at your budget, and deciding what can be shifted around to make room for your next payment. This is crucial to keeping your credit in good standing.

Understand the loan terms.

Understanding the loan terms will help you understand when you have to pay back what. Keep in mind, you’re in charge of any payments back to the financial institution, and not paying them back could have severe consequences.

How does a quick cash option compare to an online personal loan?

Fast cash loans can be a valuable resource for individuals facing unexpected financial emergencies. However, they come with high costs and potential risks that require careful consideration. It’s crucial for borrowers to assess their financial needs, fully understand the loan terms, and explore alternative sources of funds before turning to fast cash loans. Additionally, governments and regulators play a vital role in protecting consumers by enforcing fair lending practices and setting limits on interest rates and fees. Ultimately, informed decision-making and responsible borrowing are key to successfully navigating the world of fast cash loans while minimizing potential pitfalls.

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