Sometimes loans are minor and easy to request, even if embarrassing. But others are major and push us into anxiety and dread, like needing to pay for a funeral.

At these times a secured loan might prove useful. And if you own a house, or something else of high value such as land, it could be easy to borrow the money you require because often you can take a loan against the value of that asset. The interest rate will raise eyebrows, but if you manage your cash flow carefully these loans can really help you.

The first step in getting a secured loan is to draw up a list of finance companies, and to start looking at their interest rates and requirements.

You will locate them on TV ads, and in the advertisements in the newspapers and magazines you read. So begin to look for them and write down names and phone numbers. Also search on Google for 'online secured loans'. You'll notice there are web sites for individual businesses. And then broker's web sites that let you compare several finance companies at once -- which will save you a lot of time.

Next, compare them. The little lending companies may be able to offer you lower rates and more flexible repayment plans than larger finance companies. Look at all of them and settle on one with a safe lending record and terms you can live with.

As you sign for a secured loan there is a possibility you could forfeit your home, or whatever other collateral you put up to the lender, if you fall behind in the payments. We appreciate established lenders won't do this if they can help it. They will want to help bad debtors to get their loan being serviced again. But you need to consider the possibility when you are about to borrow.

After thinking about this and studying the market, if you're willing to sign up for a secured loan, then go ahead. And burst out of your money problems.