Payday Loans--Helpful or Harmful for Borrowers

Offered to borrowers under many names such asseveral lenders charge 25 dollars for each 100 dollars
paycheck loans, 'til payday loans, and cash advancelent to the consumer. If a consumer were to borrow
loans, payday loans have grown rapidly both on and300 dollars for two weeks at that rate, he would be
offline across America. They seem to offer a solutionpaying 375 dollars back to the lender when the loan
for many credit-challenged borrowers that is hard tocomes due at an annual rate of over 600 percent. At
resist: The ability to get instant access to cash withoutthose prices, even the most expensive high interest
a credit check. Typically, the only requirement forrate credit card is a bargain. The fees charged vary
getting a payday loan is proof of employment and awidely from one lender to the next, so shopping
checking account.around can save borrowers a considerable amount of
money. For example, online you can find payday loans
On the plus side, the payday loan is relatively easyfor as little as 10 dollars per 100 dollars borrowed.
and quick to obtain regardless of a borrower's credit
situation, as stated above. They are also widelyAre payday loans a viable financing option for
available both online and off. Repaying a payday loanborrowers? The answer lies in your credit rating and
is simple. Typically, you either give the lender ayour need for the funds. If you can use a credit card,
post-dated check that they will cash on the date yourget a personal loan from your bank, or borrow
loan is due, or they will take the money out of yourshort-term from a relative or friend, those are likely
account electronically with an e-check. Payday lendersmuch better options that will cost you less in fees. If
have streamlined the process to make it simple andyou do not have the ability to obtain funds from any of
convenient for the consumer.these sources, payday loans might be the only option
available. Because of the high cost, use of payday
On the negative side, payday loans are relatively highloans should be limited to emergencies only.Greg
priced. The fees are typically quoted as costing aDickerson is an independent financial consultant and
certain amount per 100 dollars borrowed. For instance,contributor of personal finance articles on the Internet.