What Are Payday Loans?

Sometimes referred to as payday advances, cash advances, or paycheck advances, payday loans are short term loans that are usually issued for a fairly small amount of money. These loans are meant to help the borrower cover his or her expenses until the time a paycheck is received.

Because of the recent financial reform, this form of lending has come under a bit of review lately. Unfortunately, there are many unscrupulous lenders that take advantage of needy borrowers in times of hardship. It is because of this issue that many states have now set forth stringent usury limits on interest rates and fees that can be charged to consumers. Legislation governing payday loans is solely at the discretion of the individual states and varies a great deal. While some states set strict guidelines, others have banned the practice of payday loans entirely.

Since payday loans are issued for a short period of time, it is not uncommon that there is a substantial difference in the annual percentage rate (APR), and the effective annual rate (EAR). The main reason for this difference is due to the fact that the EAR interest compounds, resulting a repayment of considerably more money.

Payday loans are generally obtained at retail outlet locations. The funds are issued almost immediately without the need for extensive credit or background screenings. The terms of the loan typically state the borrower must repay the loan in full once he or she has received the next paycheck; usually no more than two weeks from the date the loan is issued. Payday loans come with somewhat high finance charges, which can range from fifteen to upwards of thirty percent of the loan amount for the two week loan period. When this is calculated out, the APR can be anywhere from 390 to 780 percent.

The terms of a payday loan are set forth when the borrower writes a check that is postdated for the entire amount of the loan along with all of the associated fees. When the loan comes due, the borrower is supposed to return to the retail location in person to repay the loan. In the event that the borrower fails to return to the store, the lender will cash in the postdated check. If the borrower does not return to repay the loan, and the postdated check bounces, the borrower will have to pay extra fees and interest to the lender, as well as insufficient fund fees to their bank. These additional fees are added to the amount originally owed.

In an effort to lessen their overall risk, payday lenders typically require the borrower to provide proof of steady income. This proof is usually presented in the form of multiple pay stubs; however bank statements may also be necessary.

On top of traditional retail locations, the internet is now rapidly becoming one of the fastest and easiest places to acquire a payday loan. When applying online, the borrower simply completes an application, provides basic personal and employment information, as well as bank account information. Copies of pay stubs, bank statements, and a signed agreement must then be faxed to the lender. Once this has been done, the amount of the loan is directly deposited into the borrower’s bank account, and the loan amount plus applicable fees and interest is automatically withdrawn once the loan period has expired or the borrower’s next payday has occurred.

Payday loans can be a very effective short term funding option for anyone in need of some fast cash. It is important to always properly research potential lenders and their terms in order to protect yourself from fraudulent activity.

Very frequently payday loans, equally identified as check advance loans, tend to be the sole solution still left for a person in need of an urgent supply of money in an unexpected situation. Payday loans work as a temporary financial solution and are remarkably easy and fast to secure. Plus, there is not a whole lot of hassle involved in getting them. Such loans might range between $100 and $1500. They almost always have a greater interest rate than any regular loan but are extremely convenient for taking care of any emergency. The reason is that people can apply for loans from home and money becomes available to them the same or next day.

Normally, such a loan company charges around $15 for each $100 borrowed. The usual term period of a payday loan varies from two weeks to roughly one month depending on the date of the applicant’s upcoming payday. Still, many of such lenders can prolong the payment date, should the applicant require an extension. Given that this type of loan originates with a comparatively high interest, a reasonable guideline is to ensure that the total interest payment that accrues by the due date is less than the extra fees that one would need to pay in an emergency situation.

Typically, a credit card late payment charge is high, somewhere from $30 to $40, which is a lot greater than your probable loan interest and needs to be satisfied immediately. Another emergency circumstance may be a past due payment on rent or perhaps a mortgage, which can easily bring about $50 or even $100 in fees. One of the worst situations involves a bounced check which would most likely cause a service fee of $30 to $50 for each check and, in addition, adversely affect your credit history. Upcoming vehicle payment is another such circumstance that may produce an instant need for funds. Some of those fees add up to a rather large sum, and it is advisable to get rid of such fee accumulation as promptly as possible.

A healthcare emergency or perhaps a car malfunction may also force an individual to seek help of a direct payday lender. Immediate funds could be easily secured through assistance of such lender. These types of loans tend to process very quickly with practically no procedural delays. They are known as payday loans as they are designed to be paid on the following payday. These financial loans are offered only for relatively brief amounts of time. Also, they are usually given to people with current employment.

There are truly tons of direct payday lenders that exist and who are accessible online, which makes it easy and safe to get loans from home. Applying with an online lender usually involves less paperwork and very often presents better rates of interest than comparable lenders at actual physical establishments. Moreover, most of them accept applications 24 hours per day, contrary to traditional banking institutions.

It is especially important to be confident that the loan company you are thinking about working with is a genuine and direct payday lender. Make sure that the lender is not a broker or perhaps even a website that solely grabs your information, not planning on lending you any funds, and resells your data some place else.

All Payday lenders are bound by strict regulations and codes of conduct. Unfortunately, not all online Payday lenders abide by these rules and guidelines. Every day, we come across stories of borrowers who have been mistreated or misled by unscrupulous online short term lenders. Although Payday loans as a form a credit are still increasing in popularity, the number of these financial horror stories posted on the internet, do not seem to be disappearing. Bad lenders cast a bad light over the whole payday loan industry, which is unhelpful for the people out there who genuinely want to use this form of credit. It’s also unhealthy for the industry as a whole.

In this article we look at some of the things you should consider before you apply for a payday loan in the hope that you can avoid the bad lenders and end up with a much more positive experience.

The biggest issue is that the less than honest lenders are not so easy to detect. Many of them have seemingly good reputations and flashy websites promising the best and quickest loans. When you are looking for a good short term lender, first of all, choose a reputable company, that’s a good start. Secondly, make sure they clearly show their lending licence and registration details on the website.

Reviews and feedback from other customers are also an excellent way to establish whether a lender is good. The best lenders offer free customer advice so you can ask questions and make enquiries without having to apply for a loan. You should be able to access all the information you need without any obligation to borrow money, until you are ready to do so.

According to our research, internet searches are how the majority of people find a payday lender. This is a good way to start, but once you have found a few lenders, it is best to spend a little time doing some research into them.

Some lenders will go to amazing lengths to convince you to borrow from them. While we understand you may be feeling stressed and under pressure to borrow money as quickly as you can, don’t let a bad lender harass you into making a rash or hurried decision. Even if it is just for a few hours, take some time to consider all your options before you apply for a short term payday loan.

Another way to establish whether your chosen lender is trustworthy is the application process. The reputable lenders all have a formal and thorough application process, which will include establishing proof of your identity, verification that your bank account is active, and confirmation of your employment and regular income. You should always be asked for this information, it is standard practice amongst good lenders, so if you are not asked these simple questions, be cautious.

Bad lenders will try to sell their loans to whoever enquires about them. Financial services and credit are not something that should be sold. Reputable lenders, who practice responsible lending, will never try to sell you a loan. Instead, they will give you the information about their services, make the costs and interest rates clear from the outset, and leave the ultimate decision to borrow entirely up to your own discretion. If you experience any form of high pressure sales tactics or harassment from a prospective payday lender, you have a right to report them to the OFT.

While a financial emergency can crop up at any time and cause a great deal of stress, try not to panic and instead, spend some time considering all your borrowing options. Calculate what you can afford to repay, then you will be able to calculate more accurately what you can afford to borrow.

The main thing to remember is that you are in control, these are your finances and the decision has to be one which is best for you, and your family. The best lenders will give you the help, advice and support you need and when you find the lender you need in an emergency, you will be able to access the short term cash advance you need.

There are a lot of people who look to an online payday lender fast cash to get them out of a sticky money problem. Unexpected expenses can often throw a budget off its track, especially when payday is still a few days away. When your money management has left you less than credit worthy, alternative money may be your only opportunity to correct a finance problem. It is important to understand what you are up against with short-term loan lenders.

*You will find all kinds of lenders but they will not all have the best ‘customer focused’ practices. Find a good one before you apply.

Hard times often call for tough measures. Payday loan help is more expensive than typical options, but when there are no options left to use, the best method is to search for a safe online payday loan lender to service their loans.

*Piggy-backing short-term loans as well as getting multiple loans at the same time are never a cost effective idea.

Because the interest is higher than typical money transactions, obtaining a loan is more expensive if left out past original due date. It is important to learn a company’s policies and payment options before you send in the application. Do your homework and find a company with a good reputation. Social media now makes it easier. Search the company on Facebook, G+, Twitter or Pinterest to what they offer.

* When it comes to applications, there are some important things to know before you apply. It’s also important to be completely honest on your application. Good lenders will use this information to qualify you for an affordable loan.

First off, make sure that the direct lender is not one of those companies that charge an application fee. This is only upfront money with no guarantee of being approved. You are looking for a loan not paying to apply for one! It is also very important to be truthful on your application. Good companies will validate your information. The loan is risky enough without credit checks. Lenders that follow guidelines are more apt to be customer orientated. That’s good for everyone involved!

*Shop for the best online direct payday loan interest rate.

Since these loans will charge you fees for every $100, it is important to find a company that offer rates at competitive rates. Understand all fees involved with the loan process from beginning to end. Even if you plan to pay it off in full it is best to at least know the consequences ahead of time.

* If you have been in trouble with short-term loans in the recent past, take it as a cue that they may not be your best solution now either.

You have to learn from your mistakes. If online direct payday lenders are not affordable solutions, then find a new one. Making the same costly mistakes over and over will not help your finances at all. Try to cut back more within your budget or try to earn extra cash instead. If you are stressed now, you will be even more so later once the added charges knock out your bank account.

*Be careful finding a lender. There are those who fraudulently pretend to be lenders. They will often have names similar to well-established companies.

Look at websites, call telephone numbers, ask questions and expect professional results. You do not need to send off an application to any company that does not provide good customer service at a competitive price. If you do not qualify for the loan with your first few applications, don’t ignore the signs. Protect yourself and your money.

The best direct payday lenders may not have the lowest interest rates, but they will have the most bang for your buck. How could you pay a few dollars more for every hundred borrowed and save? It’s easy. For starters, there are many lenders that will hide charges here and there to help make up for smaller interest rates and then some. It is always recommended to investigate a company before you apply.

What do hidden fees look like? Some are tough to identify unless you fully understand how the short-term loan process works. It is important to talk to the lender directly and try to uncover any costs you may struggle to payoff later. Most of the added costs are hidden within the fine print or explained with confusing content in the terms and conditions so it is up to you to understand.

-One of the first added costs you can omit form your loan is the application fee. Look for “Free Application” notice on the site or call and ask just to make sure. Not all direct lenders do this, so make sure you find one that doesn’t. This fee (usually around $30) is debited from the account listed on your application form. This money pays for the direct payday lending company to accept your application and process it. This does not guarantee that your loan will be approved. You will not receive a refund if the application is rejected. Before you start sending out applications, call and verify that the company services free applications.

-Some direct lenders will give customers flexible payment options. It is tough to pay back the loan amount plus fees in just a few weeks’ time. The most common available options are roll-overs and extensions. These buy you a few more weeks to come up with the money. Buy is the appropriate word here. You will have to pay interest fees in order to push the full payment to a later date. This works very similar to a credit card. It isn’t cheating anyone out of money. You will have to pay money to buy time. What you don’t need to happen is get charged any additional costs for extending your loan date. Fees on top of interest charges are not fair to the borrower. Another hidden cost to uncover is happens to the interest rates once the loan is extended. There are some companies that will raise interest rates when the loan is not paid as originally scheduled. Don’t be surprised if you find a lender that will charge both additional interest plus a special roll-over fee. Call payday companies directly to find a lender that prices payoff options fairly. Expect to pay interest on your loan… only.

-You will find lenders that charge over-the-top interest which are often ignored because the company promises loan amounts larger than what most direct lenders will offer. Oftentimes, this money has no waiting period. Ever read an advertisement for fast money, as in less than 15 minutes? These companies seek to do business with vulnerable customers willing to anything to get extra cash in their bank account. Be careful. It is important to never borrow more than you actually have to have. Just because a high dollar amount is offered, it doesn’t mean you have to take it. Remember, for every hundred dollars that you borrow, you will pay interest fees. Spending money needlessly is never cost effective. Shop around for a company that doesn’t make over-the-top promises. These kinds of transactions are expensive.

No one wants to be nickel and dimes to death. When it comes to payday loan predators, their nickels and dimes are often misunderstood and misrepresented landing borrowers in heavy debt. If you are skeptical about an offer, take that to heart and move onto another direct payday online lender. Your best defense is to talk to the company directly. Ask important questions and expect clear answers. In the end, it is your money, so make emergency payday loans as cost effective as possible to save in the long run.

In Ohio, the demand for payday lenders will not be going away anytime soon. There are over 1300 payday lending companies currently thriving in the state. Ohio has fallen into being one of the top states where residents use payday loans most often, Oklahoma being the highest. On average, a regular borrower will take out about eight loans each year. The loans average about $375 each which will carry with them over $500 in fees. The longer a customer keeps out the loan, the greater the amount in fees will be paid.

Ohio has set some state guidelines in which direct online payday lenders as well as “brick and mortar” lenders will have to follow. These regulations are more permissive than other states which gives the payday lending companies more freedom than the stricter states. Online lenders will need to obtain a license in order to operate within the state. This regulations will help to deter fraudulent companies from loaning to its residents. A borrower will have to understand their rights as residents of the state in order to know what to look for when shopping for online payday loan lenders.

Permissive states will allow their residents to take out single-payment loans which carry a percentage rate of 391 or higher. Ohio has capped the annual percentage rate at 28 percent. Some lenders have found a way to skirt this rate by operating under the Small Loan Act or Mortgage Loan Act which allows the lenders to charge higher rates.

Borrowers in Ohio tend to be young, have low income and rent their home. Most do not have a four year college degree. Just over half of these borrowers are women and a slightly higher percentage show that the borrowers are white. On average, the majority of those who use payday loans are white woman from 25-44 years in age and do not own their own home. Renters use payday loans more than home owners.

It is no secret that the direct payday lenders will provide fast and easy cash to those who qualify. States with more permissive regulations are still seeing higher numbers of residents using payday loan lenders to help with finances. Those states with hybrid regulations (seeing both strict and permissive rules) have a small percentage fewer of residents using the loans. Restrictive regulations sees a significant drop in lending practices. People are finding other ways to get help with their finances when the lenders have more restrictive practices. Curbing the amount of loans which an individual may take out at one time or within the same twelve month period is definitely a regulation keeping residents from returning to the lender for multiple loans each year.

Too many individuals are falling into the personal trap of not wanting to cut costs and therefore are choosing to use the high risk loans. Payday loan lenders do not request information about what the money will be used for, leaving the borrower freedom to use the money as they see fit. There still lies problems with this area as too many borrowers continue to use the short-term payday loans for wants instead of needs.

Many people find themselves struggling financially in today’s constantly changing economic times. Lots of good, deserving people are losing their jobs. This leads to immense stress of wondering about how they would be able to pay their bills and take care of their families. Still, even people that are fortunate enough to keep their job often face financially overwhelming situations. All sorts of emergencies happen in life, and they often cause unexpected expenses. Oftentimes, that paycheck just does not seem to last the entire month until the next payday. When people run short on money they usually either try to lower their spending or, in the worst case, borrow money. However, given today’s economic state, many people realize that their credit is less than perfect and for many it is just bad. Plus, if they have borrowed money before, it gets progressively more difficult to get a new loan with bad credit and loans that are outstanding.

Still, there are a number of solutions to this common problem. One of them, which became especially popular over the last few years, is to obtain a payday loan. This is a loan that is given for a short period of time – usually until the applicant’s next payday. There are quite a few lenders on the market today that provide these loans. However, if people want to minimize their losses and get the best terms possible, it is always a smart idea to choose direct payday lenders for borrowing money. There are a number of benefits to working with a direct payday lender, so let us take a look at three of them.

1. Direct payday loans are entirely non-credit based. That means that whenever a person is working with direct payday lenders, they do not care about his credit at all. In fact, they do not even bother to check his credit when considering his loan application. Primarily, all they care to know is that the applicant has a job or some sort of consistent income and when the paydays take place. Normally direct payday loans are meant to be paid back on the applicant’s next payday. The amounts of such loans usually range from $100 to $1500. These lenders assume that most applicants have bad credit, so the interest on these loans is much higher than any other traditional loan. They know that when people apply for loans to payday, it is highly likely that this solution is their only option to find the money that they need.

2. Loans to payday by direct payday lenders are remarkably easy to apply for. Most of these lenders let people apply right on their website any time of day or night. This sets them apart from traditional lending institutions where the applicant would have to depend on that lender’s business hours. This way people can apply for these direct payday loans from home right on their computer. The applications are also extremely short and only ask for the basic information. An average application takes just a couple of minutes to complete and submit. Plus, most of the time the applicant is notified of whether he is approved immediately or within minutes.

3. Also, direct payday lenders that provide loans to payday are normally able to offer the best possible terms on such loans, compared to non-direct lenders or brokers. These loans are already rather expensive, so it does not make sense paying any more in interest than what is absolutely required. Aside from that, direct payday lenders are also more flexible than others. They are often able to offer extended repayment terms, going beyond the next payday. Sometimes they even allow borrowers to pay just the interest on the required payment date and extend the principal of the loan till the next payday.

Certainly, whenever people take out loans to payday, it is always a smart idea to pay off these loans as quickly as possible to mitigate losses. Some people even call these a necessary evil. However, for someone with existing bad credit and loans that are still outstanding, these direct payday loans may truly serve as an answer to their immediate problem. Of course, if used in a smart and responsible way, direct payday lenders are indeed a phenomenal resource for temporary financial assistance.

When you go looking for online payday lender help, what is your priority? Would it surprise you to find out that the speed of receiving money outweighs safety? There may not be documented proof of such findings, but if you look closely at how a good portion of people seek out payday lenders it would be easy to make that assumption.

Some reporters blame the actual lenders for safety problems. Unfortunate as it is, there are several companies looking to take advantage of applicants who don’t know the difference between a safe direct payday loan lender from a predatory one. Once a customer has a bad experience and their bank account is compromised, all lenders feel the heat from it. Believe it or not, there are plenty of companies who strive to build safe and secure sites in order to support their honest customer service.

When a person is in a rush to obtain a fast cash advance, there are too many applicants that focus on speed rather than safety. They don’t take the time to find a responsible and safe lender. Proof is in the pudding as some folks would say. Too many applicants end up using a predatory lender because of the fast money promise. If these applicants had the slightest understanding of how the short-term loan industry should work, they may have saved lots of headaches and money too. Predatory lenders are after money and they will collect it one way or another.

If the promises seem too good to be true, use this gut instinct to dig a little deeper. If you ignore that thought just to have access to quick cash, it may be more trouble than you can afford. Just as you are trying to get your hands on money so is a predatory lender. Don’t kid yourself in thinking that one payday loan lender help is the same as another. Even between the good direct lenders there are different practices and qualifications.

Because these loans carry high interest, there are many people who would suggest that they are all predatory. Call these short-term loans expensive, but a high cost does not make them unsafe. These loans do cost more than the more popular credit card. It’s important that you know the difference between using the two different money methods and especially that if you have credit history problems, even credit cards will charge high interest. If you have ever been charged a penalty interest rate by a credit card, you will have already experienced numbers as high or even higher than many low fee direct payday lenders.

Put your assumptions about short-term loan lenders away and find out for yourself. If your credit score isn’t in the best of conditions and you know that a money emergency would point you into the direction of a short-term loan payday lender online, then find a good company ahead of time. It is much easier to compare and contrast lenders and their offers when you are not in such a rush. Look beyond the cash offer. Dig deep to find out more about the lender.

When you put time and effort into protecting your finances, you may find that many potential problems can be eliminated before they even begin. Don’t work off of assumptions. Find the facts that you need to get the best in payday loan help. Quick cash during a financial emergency should not create more problems. Short-term loans are successful when the right direct payday lender has been found, there is a payoff plan established and the gap closes between the problem and the next paycheck.

Your income matters. How much you bring home each month is what you live on. It pays the rent, buys a car, keeps utilities running and feeds the bellies of your family, pets and gas tanks. If your income does not cover your basic needs you will need help. Some people will find a roommate to share living costs, others will find a second income and too many will use credit card or fast direct payday lenders to make money matters work.

Using third party money to support basic living needs is never a smart money decision unless there is some sort of emergency which calls for drastic temporary measures. Get the utilities paid and put food on the table, but if you cannot do these things without help, you have to make changes to your lifestyle. If you don’t, your credit cards will soon be filled and payday loan lenders will be rejecting your applications. Yes, even payday lenders reject applications, at least the responsible ones.

Many payday companies will have set qualifications which must be met in order to be approved for a short-term loan. Credit card companies will qualify you based on your credit score and history. Since fast cash advances are no credit check loans, there must be other ways to regulate who is approved and who is not.

* What state do you live in? Online payday lenders will want to know where you are calling from before they will work with you. Some states have laws which prohibit most lenders from servicing residents. Other possible reasons are state regulations on interest and loan caps discourage direct lenders from being licenses in the given state.

*How much income do you bring home each month? Your take-home income is going to be the base for calculating how much money you are approved for. Just because you ask for $500 it doesn’t mean you will get it. A responsible lender will make sure that your income can cover the loan as well as have a bulk of it left over to cover other expenses.

*Do you receive direct deposit? When the direct lender checks your bank statement this deposit information is important. It shows proof of steady income. Permanent employees often have the option to have their paycheck directly deposited. It is a good sign to the lender.

*What bank is your account with? Most well-known banks and credit unions will allow debit transactions for the loan. Some smaller institutions or military institutions do not work with payday loan companies. If your account is with one of these, your loan will not be approved.

*Do you have any other current payday loans out? Since these loans demand full repayment plus fees in just a few short weeks, any good lender would want to know. Competition for payment is not a position that a reputable direct payday lender wants to be in. No credit checks keeps the lender blind to all the other debt, they want to know about other short-term loan debt.

*Are you military? Responsible payday lenders will not work with military personal at any level in any branch.

*Will you be able to email or fax a recent 30 day bank statement? This is for informational purposes only. Loan managers will comb through the statement looking for any signs of money stress. Signs of stress are bounced checks, overdraft fees, NSF fees and signs of other payday loans.

One thing that goes without saying in today’s business world, is that regardless of the nature of your home based business, a website is an absolute MUST. Whether you have a product or service to sell, whether local or global, your business will go nowhere fast if you don’t have an online presence. If you need internet marketing help, you’ve landed on the right article. I’ll give you some home based business marketing ideas that will help you promote your business successfully.

The first step is choosing a domain name and getting it registered. You can build your own website (if you have the time) and host it yourself or you can have everything done by another company (if you have the money). Either way, you have many options and tools at your disposal that can align with your business plan and budget. Also note that you can still start your own home based business even if you don’t have a product or service to sell. There are thousands of individuals and companies that have products you can sell for them while earning a commission, called affiliate marketing.

Of the many business marketing strategies known to man, internet marketing is, hands down, the best strategy to use for promoting a home based business as it is the cheapest method and has the potential for reaching millions of people all over the globe. Driving traffic to your site through online resources is like killing two birds with one stone. You can tackle print advertising by writing articles and publishing them to directories and ezines and by submitting ads to the many available (and most of them free) classified ad sites. Online media advertising encompasses writing press releases and distributing them to press release sites. One of the biggest and most popular online advertising trends today is via social media advertising through sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn where you build relationships with your customers. Forums and communities are also great ways to build relationships which helps promote your home based business in the long run. Simply Google your market or industry with the word ‘forum’ or ‘community’ behind it and search for one or two that seem to be the best fit for you.

All of these methods of online advertising contribute to search engine optimization (SEO), which is to say improving your online visibility and escalating in the search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing. Your goal is to claim the #1 spot in the organic search results (the results on the left, not the right side which are paid ads). This is where your traffic will come from. If you are 800 in the list of search results, no one is ever going to see your site because very few people have the time or patience to scroll through 800 search results. Research shows that people typically won’t even scroll past 4 or 5 search results, let alone 800.

Can you grasp the importance of internet marketing for any business? If you are new to the internet marketing phenomenon and don’t know exactly where to start, there are many great programs or systems online that walk you through every aspect of marketing your online business. A lot of these systems were created by online entrepreneurs who have spent thousands of their own dollars trying to figure it all out over the years and finally DID. Their sacrifices have made it easier for newbies to become successful at their own online home based business. If you are new to running your own home based business, I recommend you find a great system (do your research, read reviews, ask questions in forums) and start marketing your home business from there. Don’t waste the time and money that so many of us have in going it alone, without a proven system, as it will just set you back further and hinder your progress.