You've seen the ads and have heard the stories. Now, you yourself need extra cash to cover for an emergency expense. Are instant payday loans the best solution for you? We examine what you need to know about these types of loans and whether or not you should turn to them to help solve your temporary cash problems.



What are instant payday loans?

If you're familiar with cash advances, then you have an idea of what instant payday loans are. These are unsecured loans that are available in small amounts, typically ranging from $100 to $1000. Some lenders offer more, especially if you qualify.

If they are unsecured, what do I use for collateral?

Instant payday loans are designed for emergency cash needs, that is why they are available only in smaller amounts. If you need say, $2500, for example, you'll have to find another source for your loan. While you will not be required to provide collateral, most lenders will require you to issue postdated checks, a show of good faith that you will pay back your loan.

What are the benefits of using instant payday loans?

Aside from being one of the easiest forms of loans to get, instant payday loans offer fast, convenient and secure transactions. Application procedures are short and do not require you to produce a lot of documentations. As long as you meet the qualifications, you could receive the money within 24 hours, even earlier.

Are there any disadvantages I should be aware of?

Instant payday loans by their very nature require a little bit of protection for the lenders. That is why borrowers are often charged higher interest rates compared to other types of loans. That makes instant payday loans more expensive. Lenders usually charge you about $15 for every $100 you borrow while other lenders charge as much as $30. That, and the fact that you will have to pay back the loan within a short period of time (usually as short as 14 days), makes instant payday loans a little difficult to handle.

However, you can try to find a lender who can offer you the lowest rates. That way, your loan is a lot easier to pay for and you could save a lot of money in the process. Talk to several lenders first before you make your final decision.

Should I get an instant payday loan?

Instant payday loans are right for you if you only need a small amount of cash for a temporary problem. Instant payday loans should not be used to pay for more regular expenses such as mortgage, groceries or luxuries like clothes and sports equipment. Regular use of these types of loan should be limited and must be resorted to only in real emergency cases.

You should also get an instant payday loan if you can pay back the loan amount and the interest on or before the agreed date. The horror stories you have heard about are people who obtained instant payday loans and were unable to pay them. They had these loans 'rolled over' as a new loan with a higher interest and ended up with a loan amount that is far too big for them to handle efficiently.

A lot of people have been helped by instant payday loans but only because they knew exactly what they were getting into and were prepared to face them. Make sure you understand what is expected of you and you can take advantage of the full benefit of instant payday loans.