Though it’s unfortunate, unexpected emergencies happen, and they happen all the time. If you haven’t already, you may one day come face to face with the harsh reality that not everything will work in your favor, and an unforeseen financial emergency is a perfect example.
Financial emergencies can come from anywhere and can strike at just about any time. And we’re already neck-deep into the most financially vulnerable time of the year: Christmas.
If you’ve already fallen victim to a financial emergency and you have no other options for financial relief, a title loan or a payday loan could offer some relief. But which loan should you choose then? That’s entirely up to you. But what are your options, and where do you start? Let’s take a closer look at these short-term loans and see how they measure up against each other.
Payday loans work very simply. In exchange for a postdated check, a payday lender will offer you a short-term cash loan. “Short-term” must be emphasized here as the term of most payday loans is usually only two weeks. Your local lender will be able to tell you exactly how long their lending term is.
Since there is a finance charge tacked on to the loan, a lender will ask you to write a check for the loan amount plus the amount of the finance charge. The check should be dated for your next payday. This way, once you’ve been paid, the payday lender can cash the check.
If your check bounces, other fees, and penalties may apply. The only real benefit to payday loans is that they’re unsecured. You don’t need to put down any collateral to get cash. Always be sure you’re able to pay the payday loan in full by the end of the loan term before signing any payday loan agreement.
Title loans work a little bit differently than their payday loan cousins. Unlike payday loans, title loans do require collateral: namely, the title to your car. While the title loan lender would be holding your car’s title during the repayment term, they will not have access to the car itself. This is good news since you still need your car to get to work, buy groceries, run errands, etc.
Also, title loans come with longer terms than payday loans and allow you to borrow much more too. However, you should only borrow what you need. These loans come with a hefty price tag if they’re not paid back on time. Proceed with caution and make sure you understand all the terms before entering into a signed agreement.
So which is better? A title loan, or payday loan? That’s a decision you must make for yourself. When it comes to these loan types, there are mistakes you’ll want to avoid. If you’re stuck in a financial emergency that can’t wait another day and you have no one to borrow money from, then consider a title loan or payday loan. Speak to your local lender today to get more information so that you can make an educated decision.
